Guinea pigs have allegedly been slaughtered and eaten by prisoners working at an animal shelter.

Allegations of the acts by inmates at Wooroloo prison in WA have left Premier Roger Cook appalled as Corrective Services delve into the claims.

“I’m appalled by the revelations that, potentially, guinea pigs were surrendered up for someone’s meal in a prison,” Cook said.

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“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.

“It sounds like disgusting behaviour.”

Prisoners were allegedly told the animals were tasty before inmates started killing some of the former pets, the West Australian reported.

They brought the meat back to prison and started cooking it.

Discovery of the inmates’ actions came to the fore when a staff member found an animal carcass in a fridge.

But the animals were not taken inside the prison, Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce told local Perth radio.

“They didn’t get them into the prison, they have an external area where we maintain tool sheds, things like that,” he told 6PR.Royce said prisoners were not encouraged to eat off site and the jail provided them with food.

An investigation has been launched into the actions of section 95 prisoners, who are deemed suitable to participate in community service, and their supervision.

“All Section 95 activities from Wooroloo in the community are suspended pending the outcome of investigations,” Royce said.

The prisoners had been working at the animal shelter as part of a release program.

They are inmates not considered high risk, Royce said.

Guinea pig is known as a traditional food in areas of Peru and Ecuador.