A duck used by insurance company Aflac was let loose inside a subway station in Manhattan, angering PETA and the MTA.
The website Gothamist reported that commuters on an undisclosed N and R train subway posted images of the duck, but it found out that it was Aflac’s doing. Aflac uses a duck as a mascot in its advertisements.
“I hope I remembered my subway pass. #IMadeAComeback #NYC http://ow.ly/i/3eazF,” a Twitter account of the Aflac Duck said. Another, non-duck Twitter user wrote: “Breaking News: Duck really wants to ride the N/R subway.”
The MTA said that the move was inappropriate.
“Ducks don’t belong on the subway, especially waddling through stations, and especially not when they’re used as part of a publicity stunt that makes it harder for our customers to get around,” spokesman Adam Lisberg told Gothamist.
He added: “We did not know about this stunt, we did not approve it, and we’ve made clear to Aflac that it was improper. New Yorkers know that animals are only allowed in the subway when they’re enclosed in containers that will prevent them from annoying any other passengers.”
PETA was also unimpressed.
“A subway station is no place for a duck, who can’t possibly understand the reason for all the noise and commotion of an everyday commute, let alone a gathering crowd with flashing cameras,” it said.
