A case of appalling animal cruelty in Wyoming is close to being closed with a plea of guilty, setting a historic and significant example for the state and perhaps other jurisdictions.

Cody Roberts' plea helps create legal precedent, but Wyoming lawmakers still need to ban vehicular killing of wildlife, writes Wendy Keefover.

The Bureau of Land Management must redo its approval and consider a slower pace of development it had ruled out.

Cody Roberts, the Sublette County man accused of torturing a wolf in the Green River Bar, pleaded guilty Thursday to felony animal cruelty.

Wyoming man carried injured wolf “like a baby” before taking it outside and shooting it. His actions amounted to felony animal cruelty, the prosecutor said.

Following last week's hearing, the committee released its findings and final recommendations, which included rule changes and legislator training.