UNITED STATES — National outcry after Daniel, Wyoming resident Cody Roberts ran over and possessed an injured female wolf on Feb. 29, has led to federal lawmakers pursuing new legislation that would prohibit the intentional killing of wolves, coyotes and other wildlife with a snowmobile on federal lands.
The Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons (SAW) Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Don Davis, D-N.C., Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. and Troy Carter, D-La on Thursday, Sept. 12.
The bill materialized after animal rights and environmental organizations lobbied for stricter predator cruelty laws. Other lawmakers from both parties are also signing on to the new bill. Animal Wellness Action, the Center for a Humane Economy, the Animal Wellness Foundation and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are non-government organizations backing the measure.
According to Animal Wellness Action, it is a larger issue than the Daniel, Wyo. incident. There are multiple accounts of coyote and wolf “whackings” (when snowmobiles or other vehicles are used to run down animals) across Wyoming.
“What is happening now with the use of vehicles including snowmobiles as weapons to run over free roaming wildlife is simply recreational wildlife abuse,” former National Park Service Chief of Biological Services Elaine Leslie said in a statement via Animal Wellness Action. “Wyoming’s panel looking into this issue has been too timid, and I urge state lawmakers to take decisive action to eliminate this unthinkably cruel conduct everywhere in the state.”
Currently, Wyoming allows the use of snowmobiles and other vehicles to run over wolves and other wildlife. On Aug. 26, the State formed Wyoming’s Treatment of Predators Working Group released two draft bills that propose that any person who intentionally injures or disables a predatory animal by use of an automotive vehicle, motor-propelled wheeled vehicle or vehicle designed for travel over snow must use all reasonable efforts to kill the injured animal immediately.
Teton County Representative and Chair of the Predators Working Group Liz Storer told Buckrail that there is a “chasm between” Wyoming’s animal cruelty legislation and what the public wants to see addressed.
“If my Republican colleagues can’t seem to address something over which the American public is outraged, we should expect to see federal legislation — in this case a bill supported from across the political spectrum,” Storer said. “However, it would be better to address it at the state level.”
