California Animal Rights Activist Convicted for Poultry Plant Chicken Theft Facing Up to Five Years

Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old animal rights activist from Berkeley and member of Direct Action Everywhere, was convicted by a Sonoma County jury for felony conspiracy, trespassing, and tampering with a vehicle after taking four chickens from Petaluma Poultry, a supplier to Perdue Farms. Rosenberg argued that her actions were a rescue mission to save the sick and neglected birds from cruelty, emphasizing that she does not regret intervening to save the animals' lives. The jury, however, found her guilty, and she faces more than five years in prison. Rosenberg's legal team plans to appeal the verdict, contending the case centers on the motivation behind the act rather than the act itself, highlighting the debate over the "right to rescue" versus property laws. The case has drawn attention in the agricultural region of Sonoma County and is seen as significant for animal rights activism and the poultry industry. Despite the conviction, Rosenberg remains steadfast in her belief that her intervention was justified and necessary to expose animal cruelty.