WA prisoners caught eating guinea pigs from Perth animal shelter
Authorities have now shut down the program while they investigate the incident after a prison officer found guinea pig carcasses in a fridge at Wooroloo Prison Farm, about 57km east of Perth.
The West reported prisoners began slaughtering the animals when they learnt guinea pig meat was tasty, then brought the meat back to prison to cook it.
Prisoners from Wooroloo Prison Farm allegedly took the animals after learning guinea pig meat was tasty.
Premier Roger Cook said he was appalled by potential revelations a pet at an animal refuge was surrendered to become someone's meal in a prison.
'It sounds like disgusting behaviour,' he said.
'I'm not against eating guinea pigs, I understand in some cultures they are considered a delicacy, but it is inappropriate for prison personnel on day release to take advantage of an opportunity at an animal refuge.'
The Premier said the matter was being investigated and the prison work program had been suspended.
'So that's a lost opportunity for those prisoners looking forward to a little bit of extra liberty as part of the day release
program,' he said.
'Obviously, those particular prisoners will be dealt with if there's any rules or guidance that's been contravened.'
Premier Roger Cook said he was appalled by revelations a pet guinea pig at an animal refuge was surrendered to become someone's meal in a prison. Picture: Claudia Baxter / Queensland Times
NewsWire understands anything taken back to the prison after the work is complete without approval is considered contraband.
The carcasses were allegedly found in an industrial shed area outside the prison's secure perimeter.
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said the allegations were disturbing.
'I have asked for an investigation into the actions of Section 95 prisoners and their supervision,' he said.
'It's particularly concerning given the Section 95 community work program is an integral part of the department's rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, demonstrating the valuable contributions prisoners can make to Western Australian communities.'
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And now, to a page-one splash out of Melbourne which took aim at one of the state's most senior politicians: LIBS COURTING CONTROVERSY EXCLUSIVE Colleagues raise questions with deputy on relationship - Herald Sun, 29 July 2025 The 'deputy' in question was Liberal deputy leader and former professional tennis player, Sam Groth, and the questions revolved around how and when he began dating his wife, Brittany, with a very serious and it should be said pretty grubby, insinuation at the heart of the story: … Mr Groth and Brittany have admitted they got together when he was coaching at Templestowe Park tennis club in 2011 … At the time, he would have been 23 or 24 and she would have been 16 or 17 … - Herald Sun, 29 July 2025 Which the Hun told its readers might make Sam Groth a sex offender: Under Victorian law, it is a criminal offence to engage in a sexual relationship with someone under the age of 18 if they are under your care or supervision. - Herald Sun, 29 July 2025 In Victoria the age of consent is 16 but if Groth was teaching Brittany tennis, it becomes 18. So did the second highest ranking state Liberal take advantage of a teenage Brittany? Well, the Hun laid out all its evidence which included a previous interview where Brittany recounted first meeting Sam Groth at the tennis club and becoming hitting partners: 'I was like 'OK, nice to meet you, cool' and over time we ended up hitting with each other and connecting from there…' - Herald Sun, 29 July 2025 And a second interview from 2017 where Sam gave a similar non-descript account of the couple's early days: SAM GROTH: … I was coaching a club and Britt was playing a little bit there – yeah, we sort of met through that time. - Tennis Channel, Facebook, 30 May 2017 Yes, that was the entire case. But the real meat of this story was, we were told, the political upset the accusation had prompted inside the Liberal Party, which the Herald Sun claimed might be weaponised in next year's election: The Herald Sun understands Mr Groth has been quizzed by a number of colleagues on the issue … - Herald Sun, 29 July 2025 This was news to Sam Groth who later said he'd had no such conversations. And just how many of these 'numerous' colleagues were quoted in the Herald Sun's story? Not a one. Well, that is except for the leader of the party, who had this to say: '… Politics is a dirty business, but this attack has hit a new low in public life.' - Herald Sun, 29 July 2025 Groth's colleagues did, however, show up to give their thoughts on the record to waiting television reporters: MATTHEW GUY: I think it's a despicable story. JAMES NEWBURY: Absolutely disgraceful to attack someone's wife. Absolutely disgraceful. - Nine News 6pm (Melbourne), 29 July 2025 With Groth furious that his personal life had become the subject of public debate: SAM GROTH: My wife and kids should be off limits … - Seven News 6pm (Melbourne), 29 July 2025 Amid the storm, the Herald Sun doubled down on its exclusive. With another serve the following day reporting Sam Groth was angry with Labor for making hay with the allegations. 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The intrigue and machinations of the political classes are, of course, worthy subjects of media scrutiny but when the accusations stray into private lives and families, the burden of proof and public interest become all the heavier. The evidence of Sam Groth's apparent indiscretions appear to us speculative at best and whatever the political justification for the story might be, there really can be no excuse for failing to give the woman at the heart of the story a voice before splashing serious allegations about intimate details of her personal life on page one, leaving her to defend and debunk the story only after the damage is done.
