The unthinkable brutality of the killing of Hope the wolf — who was chased down by snowmobile, dragged to a local bar, tortured, and then shot by Cody Roberts in Wyoming last year — shocked the world. The tragic event also exposed the actions of a fringe group of violent individuals who use snowmobiles to hunt and kill wildlife for sport in several U.S. states.

What’s even worse is that most states have no laws preventing this horrific violence.

These cruel and remorseless people can legally run over a range of predatory animals, including wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and even stray cats. The brutal practice has been condemned by national hunting organizations, as using a snowmobile to chase, maim, and kill animals clearly violates the principle of “fair chase.”

Wyoming had the chance to put an end to this inhumane practice in the wake of the international outrage over Hope’s brutal murder. Unfortunately, state lawmakers bent to the will of a small group of heartless individuals and failed to do the right thing for wildlife.

Wyoming will continue to allow this form of animal torture, as long as the animals are killed immediately after being brutally run over by snowmobiles.

This is unacceptable and proves the urgent need for the federal government to intervene and stop this cruelty against our native wildlife.

Thankfully, a group of bipartisan members of Congress introduced the Snowmobiles Aren't Weapons Act last year, which would “prohibit any person from using a motor vehicle to intentionally run over or kill a wild animal on public lands.”

Cody Roberts, the man who murdered Hope in cold blood, was given only a $250 fine for his horrific crime. If passed, the Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act would impose fines of up to $5,000 or one year in prison for those who commit these cruel acts.

We must ensure that this important legislation is reintroduced in the new legislative session and passed into law so that no other animals suffer the unimaginable horror that ended Hope’s short life.

Take Action Now

Please join Species Unite in calling on Congress to reintroduce and pass the Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act to end this senseless cruelty once and for all!