Perth Voice Interactive

AN Inglewood eatery has attracted online ire for serving foie gras, a product made by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers expand up to 10 times their normal size and become so fatty they can’t function.

Miss Kitty’s Saloon serves foie gras on its poutine, a Canadian dish made from chips, brown gravy and cheese curds.

Daniel Scott spotted foie gras on the menu and took to Facebook to say: “Warning animal lovers please avoid Miss Kitty’s in Inglewood who are promoting animal cruelty with their menu choices!”

Two other reviews of Miss Kitty’s were posted on Urban Spoon decrying the practice, one with similar wording to Mr Scott’s Facebook post.

Maylands Labor MP Lisa Baker says, “this practice is rightly banned in Australia—force-feeding would be deemed cruel under WA state legislation.

“Unhappily [foie gras] continues to be imported.

“I’m sure if diners realised the terrible suffering caused they would never order it.”

In a position statement the RSCPA says it is, “opposed to the sale and consumption of foie gras as its method of production seriously jeopardises the welfare of ducks and geese.

“The birds’ beaks are forced open, a tube is passed down the throat, and grain is forced into their stomach under pressure.

“Birds are fed far more than they would choose to eat naturally, and the feed is deliberately deficient in basic nutrients.”

It says the birds’ throats can be damaged and the poor diet leads to easily-fractured bones. The birds can have trouble moving and breathing due to their huge liver.

“If you see foie gras for sale or on a restaurant menu and you share the RSPCA’s concerns over its production, please make your views known.”

Miss Kitty’s Iain Lawless says, “this guy (Mr Scott) needs to get his facts straight because they are treated as well as any other animal, eg chicken, cow, lamb etcetera before slaughter.

“They are humanely killed and we are not doing anything illegal here.

“If he doesn’t believe in it, that is his decision not to eat it but we are not the only place that serves this and do not appreciate him posting on Facebook ‘avoid Miss Kitty’s because of this’.”

P’tite Ardois, another foodie joint in Voiceland, also serves foie gras (and copped a serve in a recent Voice food review about the practice).

by DAVID BELL