Thank Sublette County Atty: Justice for Theia Finally Begins

At long last, there may be justice for the Wyoming wolf who was tormented and killed by Cody Roberts in 2024. Theia, as the young wolf was named by advocates, suffered a brutal and public death that showed the extreme threats that wolves face.

Theia’s ordeal—run down by snowmobile, having her muzzle taped shut, having her injured body paraded in the Green River Bar in Daniel, before being killed—shocked the conscience of Wyoming and the world. Initially, the only penalty was a $250 fine for possessing the wolf—an insufficient response to such horrifying cruelty.

Over a year later,  a grand jury has now indicted Roberts on felony animal cruelty charges—a legal milestone that acknowledges not only the severity of the act but also the dire need for accountability for those who engage in this conduct.

This step is significant on multiple fronts. It demonstrates respect for Wyoming’s wildlife and strengthens public trust in the justice system. It also honors the calls from conservation and animal welfare advocates and the global community who demanded stronger action—people who believed that the cruelty inflicted upon Theia deserved more than a token fine, as was administered by the state’s wildlife agency.

Wyoming made progress with recent legislation—such as the enactment of House Bill 275—which criminalizes the torture of wildlife with escalating penalties. But Theia’s case remains a powerful reminder that laws must also be applied fairly and forcefully. 

The Sublette County Attorney’s Office’s decision to pursue felony charges aligns with the spirit of these reforms. It sends a strong message that heinous acts of wildlife abuse will not be tolerated.

Please sign the petition to thank the Sublette County Attorney’s Office for staying with this issue and seeking felony charges. Their dedication, willingness to confront a painful and highly publicized incident, and insistence that even the most vulnerable—like Theia—deserve justice are a reminder that while slow, the wheels of justice can still turn.