CASPER, Wyo — Amid public outcry over the alleged abuse and torture of a wolf at a small-town bar in February, Sublette County officials say an investigation is underway.
“I fully recognize the outrage and concern when someone hears of things that [Cody] Roberts has allegedly done,” Sublette County Attorney Clayton M. Melinkovich said in a release on the SCSO’s Facebook page.
Those allegations are not verified facts, Melinkovich said, cautioning that his office must proceed by the rules of evidence and cannot rely on anonymous sources in news articles.
“[Unless] something can be proven in court beyond a reasonable doubt, it is not a fact that I or any other prosecutor can consider when making a charging decision,” Melinkovich wrote. He added that public pressure and petition signatures would not factor into where the case goes from here.
Daniel resident Cody Roberts was cited for violation of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s prohibition against possession of live wildlife, with the offense occurring on Feb. 29, the release acknowledges.
Sublette County Sheriff K.C. Lehr told WyoFile earlier this month that his office was not brought into the Game and Fish investigation that led to the citation and $250 fine, which was paid.
Lehr said he learned of the alleged details from online reports, including that the wolf was run down by a snowmobile, disabled and displayed at a bar in the town of Daniel before it was allegedly shot behind the establishment.
Melinkovich said in his statement that his office cannot comment on what’s being learned in the ongoing investigation, but said “the existence of the citation does not eliminate the potential for future charges. “
Citing the closed Game and Fish case, Melinkovich said the wolf’s capture took place in a “predator zone,” meaning no license was required. He added that it is lawful for a person in Wyoming to hunt predators by use of a helicopter or snowmobile.
“While many of the animal abuse provisions do not apply to the hunting, capture, killing, or destruction of a predatory animal, there are narrow circumstances where a person could be charged and convicted of animal abuse. I cannot and will not comment on any pending investigation,” Melinkovich wrote.
Melinkovich added that threats of violence and expressions of hostility won’t advance anyone’s goals or prompt his office’s investigation to proceed under any considerations of than the rules of evidence.
“[Expressions] of violence in response to the alleged treatment of an animal likewise hinders the efforts of those who want to put an end to such activity,” he said.
