Wyoming Senate committee backs bill criminalizing intentional torture of wildlife

The Wyoming Senate’s Committee of the Whole voted to advance House Bill 275, legislation that makes intentional torture of wildlife a crime.

The bill, sponsored in the House and brought to the Senate Committee of the Whole for consideration on Feb. 24, would create a misdemeanor offense for intentionally torturing wildlife and elevate repeat offenses to a felony. It also authorizes enforcement by county sheriffs and game wardens and allows courts to revoke licenses issued under Title 23 of the Wyoming statutes for convicted individuals.

Senator Landon said the measure fills “a deficiency in our statutes” and framed it as a response to an incident that had gained public attention. He described the bill as defining and prohibiting “wildlife torture” and said it would help protect Wyoming’s wildlife resources. “I think the expectations do need to be pretty stringent,” Landon said during debate.

Supporters argued the bill is a necessary statement of values and a tool for enforcement. Senator Nethercott said the measure requires proof that an individual “knowingly and with the intent to cause undue suffering and torture” acted in that way and that prosecutorial discretion would constrain overreach: “If there is evidence that supports that an individual who knowingly and with intent tortures an animal, that they may be subject to a misdemeanor.”

Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s reach and penalties. Senator Hicks, who said he voted no in committee, warned that misdemeanor penalties (up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $10,000) and collateral consequences—such as seizure of equipment—risk punishing ordinary predator-control activities, particularly those conducted from aircraft. He said a misinterpreted incident or an overzealous prosecutor could impose severe costs on ranchers or contractors performing predator control.

Several senators requested clarifying amendments or signaled intent to offer amendments on the floor. Senator Coble and Senator Wright both said aircraft-based predator control raised practical and enforcement questions; Coble signaled he would seek an amendment to remove aircraft from the provision.

After extended debate where senators emphasized both the moral imperative to prevent cruelty and the need to protect routine wildlife management practices, the Committee of the Whole approved the bill by voice vote and reported it favorably to the Senate.

The bill’s statutory language sets out exceptions for trapping and for animals that require licenses (for example, fur-bearers); it specifies penalties, license-revocation authority for courts and lays out enforcement responsibility for sheriffs and game wardens. The transcript indicates an effective date provision within the bill and a three-year license-loss period for certain convictions.