Animal welfare groups put up $20k reward for information that will convict ... trends now
Animal welfare groups have decided to take matters into their own hands by offering a $20,000 reward for information that will lead to the conviction of the Wyoming hunter who paraded a wolf around a bar.
The Center for a Humane Economy has offered a $15,000 reward and the Wolves of the Rockies put up $5,000 in an attempt to get Cody Roberts, 42, arrested and thrown in prison for his actions.
Roberts paraded the young wolf, who has been named 'Theia', around Green River Bar in rural Wyoming after he allegedly plowed the animal down with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut, and brought it to the bar before he killed it.
Wayne Pacelle, the president of the Center for a Human Economy, told DailyMail.com that he gave the late wolf her name, which stands for the goddess of light.
'I wanted to allow her to become the most consequential wolf to change policy,' he said. 'I wanted her sacrifice to usher in changes.'
Animal welfare groups have offered a $20,000 reward for any information that will lead to the conviction of Cody Roberts, who paraded the female wolf, Theia around a Wyoming bar
Roberts, 42, captured an injured wolf after hitting it with his snowmobile and paraded it around a local bar before killing it. He's pictured with the animal
After a traumatizing video of the wild animal inside of the bar went viral and locals expressed frustration with Roberts, he was hit with a $250 fine on February 29.
Both animal welfare groups have pushed for a more drastic punishment for the small-town hunter, and are open to offering more money to do so.
'We’re looking for information that leads to the arrest and at least one year in prison for him. That is what will result in payment of our reward,' Wayne Pacelle, the president of the Center for a Human Economy, told Cowboy State Daily.
Wolves of the Rockies, a group dedicated to protect and defend wolves of the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park, have teamed up with Pacelle.
Kim Bean, a spokeswoman for Wolves of the Rockies, said that the monetary reward is set to 'simply bring people forward.'
Bean said that her organization is specifically looking for videos or photos that documented what exactly happened to the wolf under Roberts care.
'We understand that people are afraid to come forward. We will make sure their identity is protected and their voice is heard,' she told Cowboy State Daily.
Besides being fined, Roberts was not punished for the death of the year-old animal as it is legal to kill wolves in Wyoming.
Video released by Wyoming Game and Fish Department showed the clearly injured animal lying in the corner of the bar while patrons discuss its fate.
The Center for a Humane Economy said that they 'won't rest' until justice is served for Theia
The animal is seen with a muzzle on as she laid on the bar floor after Roberts took her there and showed her off to patrons
'He's getting ready to go,' one man is heard saying.
Roberts also posed for a photo with the animal, and video filmed by witnesses showed him
