The Perdue Rescue Trial begins on Monday, September 15th at the Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa, California. DxE investigator and animal rescuer Zoe Rosenberg faces nearly five years in jail for rescuing four sick and injured chickens from Perdue’s Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse. 

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All media has been denied access to the courtroom, but daily Court Watch summaries will be posted here on DxE’s blog so check back regularly for updates. You can also follow the Perdue Rescue Trial X account for an extremely detailed play-by-play once trial begins, follow DxE’s Instagram for regular stories and recap videos, and follow UnchainedTV for regular, live panel discussions of what’s happening in trial. Better yet, consider joining us in person in Sonoma County - sign up at dxe.io/register. 

Here are some key facts to know before trial begins:

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• Zoe rescued the four chickens, named Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea, on June 13th, 2023. Despite posting publicly about the rescue immediately, she was not arrested until November 30th, 2023.
• In December 2023, at the prosecutors’ request, Zoe was placed on a GPS ankle monitor and the strictest level of pre-trial release conditions. She is subject to warrantless searches and seizures and cannot leave the county without notifying her pre-trial officer, amongst other restrictions.
• While initially charged with multiple felonies, Zoe is now facing one count of felony conspiracy, two counts of misdemeanor trespass, and one count of misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle (a chicken transport truck). If convicted, she faces up to 4.5 years in jail.
• Zoe is represented by Chris Carraway from the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project. She is being prosecuted by Matthew Hobson and Jessalee Mills from the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office, led by District Attorney Carla Rodriguez. 
• Prior to entering the slaughterhouse, Zoe and other activists with Direct Action Everywhere repeatedly reported documented criminal animal cruelty to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department, the Petaluma Police Department, the USDA, and more. This included evidence of birds trapped on their backs, unable to access food and water, and birds with bloody wounds. The authorities took no action to investigate these claims or hold Perdue’s Petaluma Poultry accountable.
• There is no debate about whether Zoe was at the slaughterhouse that night or whether she rescued the chickens. She will take the stand and tell the jury exactly what she did. This case is about the ‘why.’ Will the jury conclude that rescuing sick and injured animals is a crime or will they conclude that it’s the compassionate and right thing to do? 
• Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea are still alive today. They are doing well and enjoying life at an undisclosed animal sanctuary.

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