Latest news with #Wooroloo
The Australian
2 days ago
- The Australian
WA prisoners caught eating guinea pigs from Perth animal shelter
Prisoners have been caught dining on guinea pigs they sourced from an animal shelter they worked at on a day release program. 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.'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Inmates at a West Australian prison farm caught dining on guinea pigs sourced from animal shelter
Prisoners have been caught dining on guinea pigs they sourced from an animal shelter they worked at on a day release program. 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. 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.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Prisoners volunteering with animals accused of 'concerning' act with guinea pigs
Guinea pig meat and carcasses were found in the fridge of a prison farm after a group of inmates were asked to care for the creatures in a work-release program near Perth, Australia A group of prisoners have been accused of eating the animals they were caring for while volunteering at a shelter in Australia. Guards at Wooroloo Prison farm, which is around 30 miles from Perth, discovered guinea pig meat and carcasses in a fridge. It's understood that inmates killed the abandoned creatures at the farm before cooking and sharing the meat with fellow cons after they smuggled it back into the prison. While many westerners couldn't imagine stomaching the rodents, in some parts of South America and Asia the creature is considered a delicacy - and thought to taste like rabbit with a meatier flavour. It comes after a toddler, 3, was sick on her dress before a reality TV winner beat her to death. The work-release program has been shut down by bosses in the jail, while those accused of poaching the creatures for their inmate meat trade have faced lengthy interrogations. Speaking to The West, Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said: "All Section 95 activities from Wooroloo in the community are suspended pending the outcome of investigations. "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." Before the incident, the WA prison system had hailed the work-release program as one of its most successful initiatives. Back in 2024, a New York restaurant went viral for including guinea pig on its menu - with it being well-received by locals. "It's better than chicken. Better than rabbit," manager Lucio Barrera told The New York Post, adding that the head is the "best part". His restaurant was packed out most nights, with hungry diners tearing into the 1kg animals, which can measure around 40cm long. The $116 (£86) dish was "selling like hotcakes" according to Lucio, and the restaurant had to order the rodents in "large quantities" to keep up with the demand. They were being sourced from a small Ecuadorian farm. Lucio, who hails from Cuenca, Ecuador runs the restaurant with his husband Marcelo Barrera. The pair originally specialised in rotisserie chicken but started serving guinea pigs during COVID-19 after demand from Ecuadorian residents in the area who wanted a "taste of home".
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Deranged inmates volunteering at an Australian animal shelter are accused of heinous act against guinea pigs: ‘Disturbing'
Prisoners volunteering at an animal shelter have been accused of eating the creatures they were meant to be caring for. The 'disturbing' allegations were uncovered when guards found guinea pig meat and carcasses in a fridge at the Wooroloo Prison farm, 45km from Perth. Inmates are believed to have skinned and slaughtered the disowned pets at the farm before smuggling the meat back into prison where it was cooked and shared around. Guinea pig meat, which are routinely eaten in South America and Asia, is considered to have a gamey flavour that tastes more meatier than rabbit. Those involved in the alleged meat trade have since been subject to lengthy interrogation and the work-release program has been shut down by jail bosses. 'All Section 95 activities from Wooroloo in the community are suspended pending the outcome of investigations,' Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce told The West. '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.' Prior to the scandal breaking out, the work-release program had been considered one of the WA prison system's most successful initiatives.
ABC News
23-06-2025
- ABC News
Jacob John Dwyer jailed for seven-and-a-half years for shooting death of James Deering in Wooroloo
A man who shot dead a father-of-two in an incident that triggered an emergency lockdown in Perth's east has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail. Jacob John Dwyer, who is now 37, shot James Peter Deering in Wooroloo in November 2023. The incident forced the area into lockdown for several hours, as police searched for those they believed were linked to the shooting. Residents were asked to stay inside and to keep their doors locked. Dwyer was sentenced in Perth's Supreme Court on Monday and will be made eligible for parole after serving five-and-a-half-years of his term — which was backdated to November 2023.
