Police, ACS investigate killing of River Walk duck

He stood out from the rest of the ducks floating along the River Walk, flapping onto sidewalks and begging for scraps, mostly because George had a red mask and seemed to be part goose — sporting a coat of white feathers on his chest and face and black feathers on his back.

“People would gravitate toward him and throw more chips to him,” said Larkin Buchanan, whose family owns and operates The Original Mexican Restaurant, on the stretch of the River Walk where George lived for about five years.

But around 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, two men approached George, who was sleeping on the bank under a tree, then grabbed, beat and strangled the duck before carrying his limp body downriver and tossing it in.

“We can't see them on video actually killing the duck, but then they walk by with the duck in their hands, like it's a trophy,” Buchanan said, adding the surveillance footage was handed over to the police when an official report was made. “There's still feathers all on the ground from the attack.”

Restaurant employees set up a makeshift memorial for the duck Thursday — a flier with George's picture sits on a stake, with bouquets of donated flowers from neighboring Riverwalk Floral Designs at the base.

Animal Care Services also is investigating the case.

mcasady@express-news.net