Wyoming Sportsmen Back Legislation to Criminalize Wildlife Torture
A coalition of Wyoming sportsmen is calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would impose felony penalties for individuals who deliberately torture wildlife, County 10 reports.
The push for House Bill 275, also known as the “Clean Kill Bill,” comes in response to a 2024 case in Sublette County that deeply unsettled the hunting and conservation community.
Joshua Coursey, President and CEO of the Muley Fanatic Foundation, described the disturbing incident, where a man reportedly ran down a wolf, broke its bones, taped its mouth shut, and kept it alive for several days. The man eventually killed the injured animal and allegedly posed for photos at a local bar. Despite the severity of the act, he was fined only $250.
“This is a story that is as disturbing as it is shameful,” Coursey said.
He emphasized the need for stronger legal consequences.
State Representative Andrew Byron, the bill’s sponsor, highlighted the need to close gaps in Wyoming’s current animal cruelty statutes, which do not explicitly address the torture of wildlife. Under HB 275, a person would face felony charges if they “knowingly and with intent to cause undue suffering” tortured, tormented, or mutilated any living wildlife after taking possession of it.
The proposed penalty for felony animal cruelty is imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Additionally, courts would have the authority to revoke or suspend Wyoming Game and Fish licenses for those convicted.
In response to legislative discussions, an amendment was made to include a misdemeanor penalty for first offenses, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both. The amendment also allows for license revocations and suspensions.
The Clean Kill Bill has garnered strong support from Wyoming’s hunting and conservation groups, who view ethical hunting and respect for wildlife as core values. The Muley Fanatic Foundation and other sportsmen emphasize that responsible hunting is about fair pursuit and clean kills—not causing undue suffering to animals.
The bill has already passed second and third readings in the Wyoming House of Representatives and will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration.
Supporters hope that the passage of HB 275 will set a precedent for wildlife protection and reinforce ethical hunting standards throughout Wyoming.
