California Activist on Trial for Rescuing Chickens from Perdue Farms

Fri Oct 31 2025 05:11:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old animal rights activist, faces serious charges after taking four chickens from a Perdue Farms poultry plant, claiming she was acting in defense of animal welfare.

Zoe Rosenberg's trial highlights the ongoing conflict between animal rights activists and agricultural practices in California. Rosenberg's defense argues that her actions were a compassionate response to animal cruelty, while prosecutors assert she engaged in illegal activities as a publicity stunt. The case adds to the growing tension over animal rights activism, especially within Sonoma County.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — A California animal rights activist on trial for taking four chickens from one of Perdue Farms’ major poultry plants said she was rescuing Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea from abuse while prosecutors say she broke the law.

Zoe Rosenberg, 23, faces more than five years in prison if convicted of a felony conspiracy charge along with misdemeanor counts of trespassing and tampering with a vehicle.

During the seven-week trial, her defense has not argued whether she took the chickens from Petaluma Poultry, a supplier for Perdue Farms, but rather the justification behind her actions.

How the Chickens Were Taken

Rosenberg testified that she disguised herself as a Petaluma Poultry worker using a fake badge and earpiece. She documented her actions on social media, asserting she was motivated by concern for animal welfare. These chickens were incredibly ill and they needed care, and when authorities aren’t helping there is a right to intervene, she explained in an interview.

Defense Lawyers and Prosecutors Clash on Intent

Rosenberg’s lawyer Chris Carraway suggested that the case revolves around the intentions behind her actions rather than merely the act itself. On the other hand, prosecutors claim Rosenberg’s actions were designed as a publicity stunt for Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), an animal rights group she joined at 12 years old.

The controversy has sparked support for Rosenberg, with dozens of supporters wearing orange poppies, symbolizing the name of one of the rescued chickens. Prosecutors counter Rosenberg's claims by stating the break-ins were part of a broader agenda to undermine animal agricultural practices.

Sonoma County's Stance on Activism

California's Sonoma County is known for its tough stance against animal rights activism, having prosecuted similar cases in the past. Rosenberg’s activism follows a pattern in which a previous member of DxE was convicted and sentenced for engaging in similar protests.

As the trial continues, Rosenberg maintains that the actions taken were necessary to rescue the animals from suffering, while prosecutors continue to argue that she acted illegally and disrupted operations at Petaluma Poultry.

Embedded within this legal battle is a larger conversation about animal rights, activism, and the agricultural industry in the U.S., as activists like Rosenberg aim to bring attention to perceived cruelty while facing increasing legal challenges.