PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) – Authorities have arrested 40 animal rights activists who entered a Northern California organic egg farm to document alleged cruel conditions and rescue chickens.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office says the trespassing arrests were made Tuesday in Petaluma after several hundred people gathered at Sunrise Farms.
Authorities say they were told that activists had broken doors to some coops and removed birds.
The group Direct Action Everywhere says it held a vigil and sit-in, demanding the right to remove sick and injured birds.
The group says 37 chickens were taken to receive veterinary care.
The Sheriff’s Office says the arrests were peacefully arranged with demonstrators, who were cited and released.
A call to Sunrise Farms wasn’t immediately returned but its eggs are certified by the nonprofit group Humane Farm Animal Care.