UC Berkeley student sentenced to 30 days in jail in chicken theft case

"UC Berkeley student and animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg was sentenced to 30 days in jail Wednesday afternoon after being convicted of breaking into a Petaluma farm and stealing four chickens in a case that drew international attention. In addition to the time in custody, Rosenberg was sentenced to 60 days served through a jail alternative and ordered to pay restitution, including over $100,000 to Petaluma Poultry."

"The sentencing marks the end of the high-profile criminal case that spiraled out of a series of break-ins to Petaluma Poultry. On four separate occasions, prosecutors said, Rosenberg and a group of organizers with the Berkeley-based animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere entered the farm without permission, went through paperwork and computers, affixed GPS monitors to delivery vehicles and ultimately stole four chickens off a truck bed in June 2023."

Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old UC Berkeley student, was convicted of felony conspiracy and three misdemeanor counts related to break-ins at Petaluma Poultry and the removal of four chickens. The court sentenced Rosenberg to 30 days in jail, 60 days served via a jail alternative, and ordered restitution including more than $100,000 to Petaluma Poultry, with reporting to custody by Dec. 10. Prosecutors allege Rosenberg and organizers with Direct Action Everywhere entered the farm on four occasions, accessed paperwork and computers, affixed GPS monitors to delivery vehicles, and removed chickens from a truck in June 2023. Rosenberg said the chickens showed scratches and bruises and needed rescue; the defense argued the actions were justified.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org