A Wyoming hunter Cody Roberts accused of striking a wolf with his snowmobile, taping the injured animal’s mouth shut, parading her inside a bar, and later killing her has reached a plea agreement that could spare him prison time.

Cody Roberts was indicted on a felony animal cruelty charge and faced up to two years in prison. Under the proposed deal, he would pay a $1,000 fine and serve 18 months of probation. A judge must still approve the agreement.

Cruelty to wildlife should not result in what many see as a slap on the wrist.

Wyoming’s governor publicly condemned the actions, and public outrage helped push lawmakers to pass legislation prohibiting torture and possession of wildlife.

Now the court has an opportunity to show that animal cruelty carries real consequences.

We call on the Sublette County Attorney’s Office and the presiding judge to reject any plea deal that fails to reflect the severity of the alleged abuse and to pursue meaningful penalties under Wyoming’s felony animal cruelty law.

Justice for wildlife matters.

No sweetheart deal. Demand accountability.