7 days ago
Prisoners in Australia accused of eating guinea pigs left at animal shelter
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Inmates on day release allegedly killed and ate guinea pigs they were caring for while working at an animal shelter.
Inmates at a prison in Australia allegedly killed and ate guinea pigs they were caring for while working at an animal shelter.
An investigation has been launched after a prison officer found guinea pig carcasses in a shed outside the minimum-security Wooroloo Prison Farm, about 55km from Perth, Western Australia.
Since 1998, the men's prison runs a programme that allows some inmates day release to work on projects in the local community, as part of efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate them back into society.
The day release programme has since been suspended pending a probe into the incident, Australian media reported on Aug 11.
The West Australian newspaper reported that the inmates learnt the animals were 'quite tasty' and began slaughtering some of the guinea pigs which had been left the shelter.
Western Australia premier Roger Cook was disgusted by the alleged behaviour of the prisoners.
'I'm appalled by the revelations that, potentially, (guinea pigs were) surrendered up for someone's meal in a prison,' the Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted him as saying.
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'I'm not against eating guinea pigs, I understand in some cultures they're considered a delicacy, but it's inappropriate for prison personnel on day release to take advantage of an opportunity at an animal refuge.'
