DANIEL — Cody Roberts, the man accused of abusing a wolf in Daniel, worked with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for at least four years before the agency charged him for his handling of the animal.

Roberts’ existing relationship with the game agency has wildlife advocates questioning whether that’s part of why the Daniel man was only fined $250 and charged with a misdemeanor for possessing live wildlife.

“It certainly brings into question whether or not they did their full due diligence,” said Kristin Combs, executive director of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates. “How well did those wardens know him? He’s obviously had some business with the department.”

In a prepared statement, Game and Fish spokesperson Breanna Ball said the department’s business relationship with Roberts “had no impact whatsoever on the charges or fine levied.”

“All business interactions occurred before the investigation and citation,” Ball said.

Ball said Game and Fish does what it can to employ local contractors — and that Wyoming is small. The population is just north of half a million people, less than half the size of many suburban counties, and Sublette County in particular is tiny, home to just about 9,000 people.

“The department values the ability to use local businesses when contracting services to assist with wildlife or habitat projects, whenever possible and in accordance with the state bid process in an effort to contribute and invest in our local communities,” Ball said.

Game and Fish does have an active contract with Roberts’ business, C Roberts Trucking LLC, which was awarded via the state’s bid process.

The last time Game and Fish used Roberts’ services was in January, and there is no future work scheduled with the trucking company. It’s unclear whether the department will pursue additional contracts with Roberts’ firm, Ball said. His contract is set to expire in June.

Between 2020 and 2024, Roberts’ trucking company worked for the Game and Fish Department at least 12 times, according to the state’s financial transparency platform, WyOpen.gov. In that time, Roberts also worked for the Wyoming Department of Transportation. But he was cited by Game and Fish wardens, not highway patrollers, which is why wildlife advocates are more heavily scrutinizing those contracts.

In total, Roberts made $43,050 from the state agency. His work included remodeling, landscaping, habitat improvements, engineering, maintaining roads and sidewalks, and supplying rock, sand, gravel and wood.

Roberts did not respond to a request for comment emailed to his business, C Roberts Trucking LLC.

The Jackson Hole Daily’s calls to Roberts also went unanswered, after minutes of ringing.

Game and Fish has, so far, confirmed only that Roberts captured a wolf in Wyoming’s “predator zone,” brought the animal into his residence and later into a local business. The department also released two videos of the wolf, apparently muzzled and shock collared, in a public place. The department has said that animal cruelty protections don’t apply to predators, and it has not deemed Roberts’ killing of the wolf illegal.

The $250 fine for possessing live wildlife is set in statute, Ball said.

Reporting from the Cowboy State Daily, WyoFile and the Pinedale Roundup, however, alleges that Roberts hit the animal with his snowmobile, disabled it, duct taped its mouth shut and brought it inside the Green River Bar before killing it. The Cowboy State Daily published a photo showing Roberts, holding a beer and propping up the wolf with its mouth taped shut. The outlet later published a video that showed Roberts kissing the wolf in the bar.

The photos and videos have prompted international calls for stiffer felony charges and changes in policy, including extending animal cruelty protections to “predators” and banning people from running over animals with snowmobiles, a practice known as “yote whacking.” Some critics have called for doing away with Wyoming’s dual-classification system, under which wolves are considered “trophy game” in the northwest corner of the state surrounding the national parks, and “predators” in the remaining 85 percent.

The “predator” classification means that wolves can be killed in almost any way and without limit.

After the incident went viral, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office announced an investigation, but it has not yet announced formal charges. The Sheriff’s Office is currently working with Game and Fish.