Humane Society sent on “plastic duck” chase

Warwick — How do you rescue two ducks that are stuck in a frozen pond when they refuse to cooperate? The answer is: “You don’t,” especially when they are just plastic models. After receiving several phone calls from frantic passersby that two ducks were frozen in the pond next to the Garden State Koi & Aquatic Center on Route 94 between Warwick and Florida, Suzyn Barron, president of the Warwick Valley Humane Society, sent an Animal Control Officer to investigate. When the officer arrived he discovered that although the ducks looked real enough to be frozen and in need of rescuing, they were plastic and only being used as markers for some underwater equipment. “He thought I was testing him,” said Barron. “We still get calls to save the ducks but when we tell them the facts they laugh and admit some embarrassment. It’s an honest mistake and we encourage people to still call us when they believe wildlife is injured or in danger.” The Warwick Valley Humane Society, through its Wildlife Fund, rescues a variety of local birds and animals. All are given a fighting chance and most survive. “You can do us a favor by getting the word out that these are just plastic ducks,” said Thomas Smith, president of Garden State Koi & Aquatic Center. “We have people stopping by here every day to tell us there are two ducks frozen in our pond.”