Wyoming wolf torment and killing condemned as animal cruelty by 71% of state voters, data shows
The wolf was run down with a snowmobile, dragged into a bar, tormented and shot.
Using snowmobiles to chase and run down animals classified as “predators” in Wyoming is currently legal. Known as “whacking”, the animals hunted down using this method include wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackrabbits, porcupines, raccoons, and domestic cats labeled as “stray” by the state.
Despite being legal, most voters in the state overwhelmingly disapprove of currently permitted methods for pursuing and killing wildlife in Wyoming, according to new data.
The survey by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) showed that 58 percent of voters would support changing the law to prohibit the use of snowmobiles to pursue, strike, injure and kill wolves and other animals.
An average of 3-in-4 Wyoming residents believe that it is not acceptable to use snowmobiles to kill animals classified as “predators” in the state, the survey shows.
In response to the data, wildlife advocates are calling on elected officials to step up and prohibit the use of snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles to pursue, injure and kill wildlife, and ensure that all are more clearly covered under the state’s animal cruelty statute.
“The world is closely watching Wyoming, and it’s time that state officials listen to their constituents and work to ban cruel practices immediately and also to create an atmosphere of greater tolerance and coexistence with wild creatures,” said Wendy Keefover, senior strategist for native carnivore protection at the HSUS. “Animals don’t deserve to suffer and die in such a horrifying way.”
Hope’s Legacy
In February of this year, the spotlight was on Wyoming’s anti-predator policies after Cody Roberts of Daniel reportedly tormented a live wolf by capturing the animal, taping her mouth shut, and parading her around his local bar. He then took the wolf outside the back of the establishment and shot her dead.
When photos of Roberts tormenting the live wolf, as well as footage of the exhausted animal lying on the floor of a bar wearing a muzzle and a shock collar, went viral, people around the world were horrified.
More than 15,000 Species Unite supporters directly contacted Sublette County Sheriff K.C. Lehr, urging him to ensure the wolf, nicknamed Hope by activists, received justice.
Despite the public outrage, Roberts received only a $250 fine for violating Chapter 10, Importation and Possession of Live Warm-Blooded Wildlife. The fine was not for the tormenting or killing of the wolf but was instead due to state law prohibiting the possession of wolves.
In another part of the survey, 71 percent of voters, including majorities across all political parties and ideologies, believe that Robert’s actions are animal cruelty.
“Wyoming voters do not support animal cruelty, nor do they want the reputation of the Equality State associated with such malicious and sickening actions,” said Keefover. “It’s not a coincidence that this outrageous incident occurred in a state with so few legal protections for wildlife.”
Even though wolves are responsible for less than one percent of all livestock deaths, hunters continue to advocate for limiting or decimating wolf populations based on the misconception of their impact on livestock.
Wolves were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2020 under the previous administration, following pressure from the ranching industry. In February 2022, a federal judge restored federal protections to wolves in 44 U.S. states. However, protections were not restored for wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountain Region, where over 80% of the slaughter occurs.
Hunters are allowed to kill an unlimited number of wolves year-round across 80 percent of Wyoming without needing a license.
The survey received responses from 540 likely 2024 General Election voters, weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2024 General Election. The survey was conducted by the research agency Remington Research Group for HSUS.
Next Steps for Action
On June 26th, Elizabeth Novogratz, and other representatives of Species Unite will be joining wolf advocates from across the country for a rally to take place on Capitol Hill to demand that our legislators do their part to put an end to the torture and the killing of wolves in America.
If you are in the area on June 26th, please consider joining us for a rally to honor Hope, the wolf, and advocate for change. The event will take place from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at Area 11, Capitol Hill (between Independence & First Street, directly across from the Cannon House Building). The rally will feature speeches by leading wolf experts, including former Species Unite podcast guest Erik Molvar. If you cannot attend in person, you can watch the official live stream of the event on YouTube at cryforthewild.org.
Please also join Species Unite in urging the Wyoming State Legislature to ban “wolf whacking”. Running animals over with snowmobiles should never be legal. Add your name here.
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