De La Guerra Dining Commons (DLG) was slated to receive a unique donation of meat from a University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) fraternity, but the shipment was ultimately averted. The planned delivery of guinea pig meat, a result of a fraternity hazing ritual, was circumvented when pledges decided to rescue their pets, leaving DLG without its expected order.
The arrangement stemmed from recent meat shortages and an increased demand for protein-heavy foods, which led DLG to request donations of meat from UCSB fraternities that remained from hazing activities. Pi Iota Gamma (P.I.G) was the fraternity selected to, in a matter of days, eliminate and donate the "remnants" of their guinea pigs. This process followed a "raising cycle" during which pledges cared for their assigned pets and, in many cases, grew to love them.
The practice of making fraternity pledges raise animals only to later end their lives themselves is considered by some to be a morally questionable aspect of hazing. Many P.I.G pledges, who had joined rush weeks into the fall semester, were not comfortable with the impending fate of their pets. Mike Hunt, a second-year communications major and pledge, expressed deep affection for his guinea pig, which he had named "Sydney Sweeney PS5." Hunt described his pet as "sweetest" and noted their shared interests in carrots and burrowing to escape "the crushing pressure of reality," emphasizing a strong bond.
As the deadline for the DLG shipment approached, the reality of the situation became more apparent to the pledges. Robb Err, a first-year data science major and P.I.G pledge, informed observers of his plan to ensure the guinea pigs' freedom. Err was observed descending from a second-story window of the P.I.G house, carrying a large, vibrating trash bag. He claimed his intention was to release all the guinea pigs "into the wild" at the edge of Isla Vista, stating that "they at least have a chance that way."
However, Err's rescue attempt was quickly intercepted by his fellow fraternity pledges. Many of the pledges had proactively installed AirTags on their guinea pigs, which alerted them to the animals being taken from the house. As Err prepared to open the bag at the edge of the street, the other pledges arrived, visibly distressed. Hunt was heard yelling for his "precious mini piggy."
Upon being reunited with their beloved pets, the pledges reached a collective agreement to spare the animals' lives. Instead of contributing to DLG's meat supply, the P.I.G house embraced a new role for the guinea pigs, gaining approximately 50 new house mascots. These guinea pigs now reside at the P.I.G fraternity house, reportedly living "lavish lives eating as many carrots as they can consume" alongside their pledges.
Meanwhile, the De La Guerra Dining Commons now faces a supply crisis, as its anticipated order of mystery meat was not fulfilled. DLG is currently engaged in "scrambling local horse stables and gym bros for suitable mystery meat" to address its ongoing protein demands.
