Sonoma County, CA – Animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg, a UC Berkeley student, faces a potential prison sentence of up to five and a half years as her trial for felony grand theft and misdemeanor trespassing began on May 20, 2025. The charges stem from a June 2023 incident where Rosenberg, associated with the Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) movement, removed four chickens from a Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse, a facility owned by agribusiness giant Perdue Farms. The incident, which some critics have termed a "hostage situation," was highlighted in an August 7, 2025 tweet by Kevin Dalton, who remarked, "Hostage situation in Gavin Newsom’s lawless California quickly goes fowl." trasera
Rosenberg's defense team plans to employ a "necessity defense," arguing that her actions constituted an "open rescue" aimed at preventing further suffering. DxE asserts that the chickens, named Ethan, Daisy, Alex, and Maya, were found with severe injuries and illnesses, including broken bones and respiratory infections, justifying their removal under California's animal cruelty laws. The case underscores the escalating conflict between animal rights advocates and the commercial agricultural industry.
The trial draws significant attention to the legal boundaries of animal activism and the interpretation of animal welfare laws in California. While activists contend that such "rescues" are necessary to expose and counteract alleged cruelty within industrial farming, the poultry industry views these actions as illegal incursions and disruptions to legitimate business operations. This ongoing tension contributes to the perception of a "lawless" environment, as suggested by the tweet, reflecting differing views on enforcement and accountability.
Beyond this specific case, California's poultry industry has been grappling with broader challenges, including the ongoing impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. Since 2022, millions of birds have been culled across the state and the nation to contain outbreaks, significantly affecting supply and prices. These widespread culling events, alongside persistent animal welfare controversies at facilities like Foster Farms, further complicate the landscape for poultry producers and regulators in the state.
The outcome of the Rosenberg trial is anticipated to set a precedent for future "open rescue" operations and could influence legislative discussions surrounding animal agriculture and activist interventions in California. It highlights the complex interplay of legal frameworks, industry practices, and the impassioned advocacy of animal rights groups within a state often at the forefront of animal welfare debates.