Activists charged with stealing turkey from Utah plant

Activists charged with stealing turkey from Utah plant

MORONI, Utah (AP) — Utah authorities have charged six members of a California-based animal rights group with felonies, accusing the activists of breaking into a plant and stealing a turkey.

Sanpete County prosecutors filed felony charges Wednesday of burglary and poultry theft against the members of Direct Action Everywhere.

According to court documents, the activists entered a Moroni turkey plant and removed a young fowl in January 2017.

In a statement, the group says the activists are being targeted for having compassion for a dying bird.

The activists say they entered the plant through an unlocked door and found the animals in deplorable conditions.

The group released a video in November, claiming it documents the mistreatment and poor conditions of turkeys at the facility owned by the company Norbest.