Restaurant gets abusive calls after serving up horse

A restaurant which served horse has drawn loud objections from some quarters.

Canvas restaurateur David Kerr received abusive phone calls in the wake of a story on Monday publicising his "Mr Ed is Dead" horse dish entry in this year's Monteith's Wild Food Challenge.

"It was pretty lively and disgusting and not comforting for the staff," Mr Kerr said. "There was swearing, cursing, horrible language and it prompted a call to the police."

But while wild horses couldn't drag some punters into his restaurant this week, others can't wait to dig in.

Mr Kerr was buoyed by the sale of 10 meals on Monday night and a host of email inquiries.

"Some think it is appalling but others are really interested to give it a go and want to know where else they can buy it," he said.

Leading racehorse breeder Sir Patrick Hogan said he would be disappointed if horse took off as restaurant fare.

"I certainly won't be eating horse, that's for sure, whether it is from the Kaimanawa Ranges or thoroughbreds," he said.

"I realise I eat lamb and beef but the animals I have mostly worked with are horses and I am passionate about them.

"There is no need to introduce a new meat product. If there was only one restaurant in Hamilton and it was his, I wouldn't sit at his table."

But Sandra Shearer, Hamilton spokeswoman for the International League for Protection of Horses, said although she would not eat it, she was not offended.

She noted horse meat was regularly used in foreign salamis and was popular pet food here.

"Those who don't like it won't eat it and I would be surprised if it took off here in large doses. There is a lot of nice meat in this country without heading down the horse track."

Monteith's Wild Food Challenge national convener of judges Kerry Tyack said it would be naive of any restaurant to think putting horse on the menu wouldn't attract a reaction.

"It is different," he said. "But so long as they meet health and safety issues and it is handled with due caution, I have no problem with it. Those offended will stay away. Those interested will try it."

- nzpa