Animal activists face felony charges after chicken theft

Members of DxE Bay Area chapter, whose mission is “total animal liberation,” conducted a protest Sept. 29 at McCoy’s Poultry Services in Sonoma County. They claim they believed they were following laws when trying to help chickens they said were in distress. Sonoma County animal officials took custody of 15 chickens, including six that were dead, that had been taken by the protesters, according to the report.Sonoma County Sheriff’s Capt. Jim Naugle is quoted as saying law enforcement’s role is to balance First Amendment rights with the rights of private property owners. He said recent demonstrations suggest an escalation in tactics among animal activists in the area.“Our concern is the trespass and the theft of the animals,” he is quoted as saying.