The Bay Why This Berkeley Animal Rights Activist Could Go to Prison
Dec 3, 2025
Dana Cronin, a KQED reporter specializing in Bay Area stories, dives into the high-profile trial of UC Berkeley animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg. She discusses Zoe's conviction for taking four chickens from a poultry facility, highlighting the intense animal welfare debates in Sonoma County. The podcast explores the activists' allegations against local farmers and the broader tensions surrounding animal rights in agriculture. Dana also outlines the potential legal ramifications Zoe faces and the implications for future activism.
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Sonoma's Image Heightens The Dispute
- Sonoma County is seen as a progressive, humane farming region with strict California animal welfare laws.
- That contrast amplifies attention when activists like Direct Action Everywhere allege abuses there.
Early Life Shaped A Passionate Activist
- Zoe Rosenberg grew up around animals and started animal activism very young, joining Direct Action Everywhere at about 12 years old.
- She runs Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary and uses social media to document her activism and animal care.
The Night They Took Four Chickens
- On June 13, 2023, Rosenberg and others broke into Petaluma Poultry, filmed taking four chickens from a trailer and put them into buckets.
- She selected birds she said were scratched and bruised and shared the footage publicly.