With bunnies traditionally taking the central stage in Easter celebrations, local diners were shocked when the cute animal became a dish – shredded rabbit and hummus – in an afternoon buffet.

“It is ironic to eat the Easter icon during Easter. The person who comes up with the dish is sick,” a netizen commented.

Another said with rabbits being a common pet in Hong Kong, it is unacceptable to eat the animal.

“Rabbits are cute. How can they eat rabbits?” One said.

Others came into defense of the hotel, saying rabbit is a common dish overseas.

“There are rabbits raised for their meat, same as pigs, cows and chickens,” one said.

Others said it is ignorant to say eating rabbits is cruel, as the practice is common in western countries.

With a lot of internet users leaving complaints, the hotel announced on Sunday it would remove the rabbit dish from the menu.