Poultry Plant Denies Activists' Animal Cruelty Claims

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- A spokesman for a Petaluma poultry producer where an animal rights' group demonstrator was arrested Monday is denying the group's claim that the company broke a federal law in its transport of chickens. Known as the "28 Hour Law," the United States Department of Agriculture requires that animals are not confined in a vehicle or vessel for more than 28 consecutive hours without unloading the animals for feeding, water and rest.

"All chickens are locally sourced on family farms," said Brian Sobel, spokesman for Petaluma Poultry. "In the most extreme cases, they are held in transit for no more than four or five hours, and that's in the most extreme case."

Activists, however, allege the chickens brought to the plant early Monday on a semi truck were denied protections under the 28 Hour Law, and say they are planning more protests later this week to demand that the plant on Lakeville Highway close.

Demonstrator Jonathan Frohnmayer, a 32-year-old Stanford graduate and attorney who lives in Berkeley, was arrested at about 12:30 a.m. Monday on suspicion of trespassing when he allegedly would not move from in front of the big-rig full of chickens that had arrived to unload the birds at the plant.

• Petaluma Poultry Demonstrator Arrested: Police
  

Direct Action Everywhere officials said Frohnmayer was among 20 demonstrators with a partner group, Bay Area Animal Save, who had gathered for a vigil at the plant.

Petaluma police were called the scene by security staff and reportedly arrived to find 20 people allegedly surrounding the semi hauling the chickens. According to police, the demonstrators allegedly would not let the truck move and were creating a traffic hazard for themselves, the truck driver and other motorists.

Officers ordered the protesters to move. They initially stayed where they were, but they all eventually moved except for Frohnmayer.

Security then asked police to arrest Frohnmayer because he was allegedly on private property. Police said Frohnmayer was arrested without incident.

Frohnmayer said police were professional and very kind during the arrest.

"I think that humanity's treatment toward animals is the number one thing that we should change," said Frohnmayer, who was booked into Sonoma County jail early Monday and released later that day.

"We care about everyone but we're here to represent the animals' perspective because if we don't no one else will," Frohnmayer added.

Before his arrest, the truck driver allegedly drove into the activists, according to protest organizers. Frohnmayer said no one was injured but the truck allegedly came in contact with some demonstrators.

Petaluma police said Monday demonstrations outside the plant have taken place multiple times in the past few months, mainly at nighttime.

The Petaluma Police Department said it "encourages and supports those who choose to exercise their constitutional right to free speech, however," it "requests those who choose to do so be respectful of everyone in our community and obey all laws."

Sobel called the protesters' allegations "disingenuous," and said company officials are concerned that someone will get hurt if demonstrations continue.

According to the activists, police should have pressed charges against Petaluma Poultry.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo courtesy of Direct Action Network/Photographer Michael Goldberg