US student who took four chickens after breaking into slaughterhouse sentenced to 90 days in jail
In a case that has sparked significant debate about animal rights and legal consequences, Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old student at the University of California, Berkeley, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for breaking into a poultry slaughterhouse in Petaluma, California. Rosenberg’s actions were framed as a “rescue” mission, during which she took four chickens from the facility operated by Perdue Farms. Convicted of felony conspiracy and three misdemeanor counts in October, Rosenberg’s case has drawn attention not only for its legal implications but also for the ethical questions it raises regarding animal welfare and activism.
On Wednesday, a judge handed down the sentence, which includes the possibility of serving 60 days through alternatives like house arrest, a significantly lighter punishment than the four-and-a-half-year maximum she could have faced. Additionally, Rosenberg has been ordered to pay over $100,000 in restitution to Petaluma Poultry, reflecting the seriousness of her actions in the eyes of the law. Her sentencing is set for December 10, when she will report to the Sonoma County jail. Rosenberg has maintained her stance throughout the proceedings, stating she will not apologize for her actions, which she views as a necessary intervention in the treatment of animals in industrial farming.
This incident highlights the growing tensions between animal rights activists and agricultural practices, as well as the legal ramifications of direct action taken by activists. Rosenberg’s case is emblematic of a broader movement that advocates for the humane treatment of animals and challenges the ethics of factory farming. The significant restitution ordered by the court underscores the financial implications of such actions, as well as the potential for criminal charges that can arise from acts of civil disobedience in the name of animal rights. As discussions about food production and animal welfare continue to evolve, cases like Rosenberg’s will likely remain at the forefront of public discourse, igniting debates about morality, legality, and the future of activism.
Zoe Rosenberg, 23, studying at UC Berkeley, had said it was a ‘rescue’ and ‘will not apologize’ for her actions
A California student has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after breaking into a Petaluma poultry slaughterhouse and taking four chickens in an effort she called a “rescue”.
Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old student at the University of California, Berkeley, was convicted of felony conspiracy and three misdemeanor counts in October. On Wednesday, a judge sentenced her to 90 days – 60 of which may involve jail alternates, such as house arrest – far less than the four-and-a-half-year maximum sentence she could have faced. The judge also ordered Rosenberg to pay more than $100,000 to Petaluma Poultry, the Perdue Farms facility from which she took four chickens in 2023. Rosenberg has been ordered to report to the Sonoma county jail on 10 December.
Continue reading…
