Animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg sentenced for taking 4 chickens from farm
By Suzanne Phan
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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A Bay Area animal rights activist in a high-profile trial involving the theft of chickens will have to serve time in jail.
A judge has sentenced a 23-year-old Zoe Rosenberg to a hybrid sentence of 90 days in jail.
She will serve 30 days in jail and become eligible for jail alternatives for the final 60 days.
Rosenberg made national headlines for taking four chickens from Perdue Farm’s Slaughterhouse in Petaluma in 2023.
She says she was investigating animal cruelty and rescued the animals.
In court Wednesday, Rosenberg talked about her pain.
“I am filled with remorse for every animal I failed to save,” said Rosenberg.
Rosenberg was previously found guilty of four charges — including a felony count of conspiracy and three misdemeanor counts of trespassing and tampering with a vehicle.
The Sonoma County District Attorney wanted to see her sentenced to six months in County Jail, saying that she didn’t show any remorse for her actions.
A large crowd of Rosenberg’s supporters turned out before Wednesday’s sentencing hearing.
Her attorney, friends and family and “Direct Action Everywhere” — the group that Rosenberg is part of — say she shouldn’t serve any jail time.
They say Rosenberg is a “uniquely compassionate person”
Her defense attorney argues that Rosenberg has life-threatening health conditions.
The judge, though, ultimately agreeing with prosecutors who said she broke the law.
They support the sentence.
“She chose criminality and then built an elaborate spectacle around it, and she will serve this consequence whether she approves of it or not,” said Sonoma County Deputy DA Matthew Hobson.
Petaluma Poultry released this statement in response to the sentence Rosenberg received saying:
“This decision underscores the seriousness of Direct Action Everywhere’s actions and upholds the rule of law. It affirms a basic truth: when you break the law, you’ll be held responsible. We’re grateful that DxE has been held to account for its unlawful campaign.”
According to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office, Rosenberg faced a maximum sentence of 4.5 years in local custody. The Court imposed a two-year term of formal probation with 90 days county jail and approximately $102,000 in restitution.
A restitution hearing will be scheduled later to determine the precise amount owed to Petaluma Poultry. The company documented more than $100,000 in losses resulting from the incident. Rosenberg has indicated she intends to contest that amount, and the Court will resolve the issue after receiving additional evidence.
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