Confused cops thought they were quacking up after spotting tie-wearing duck in front seat of car
OAP Barrie Hayman's pet duck Star has become a local celeb in Barnstaple, Devon - where's been named 'Britain's booziest bird' due to his love of a pint of ale in the pub
A PAIR of coppers thought they were quacking up when they spotted a car driving into Tesco – with a duck in the front seat.
The Old Bill quickly turned around and pulled over the motor driven by pensioner Barrie Hayman with his pet runner duck Star sitting by his side.
The bird, which was wearing a tie, has become a local celebrity because he follows retired Barrie, 71, into the pub and even drinks beer.
Barrie was taking Star, his poet collie dog Drake and his rabbit, to the supermarket in Barnstaple, Devon, when he was stopped by the officers.
A picture of Star, sitting next to Drake was tweeted by Armed Response Vehicle Officer Sgt Harry Tangye, who added: “Officer stops a car with a duck wearing a tie, a dog and an old man in it.
"That's it. It happened. Really. It did."
Barrie, a former scuba diving instructor in Australia, said: “The two police officers were absolutely fantastic.
"They just couldn't believe what they were seeing - it was brilliant.
"Star was on the front seat alongside Drake the dog and the bunny Molly was on the dashboard.
"They were having a good laugh. They asked me if the duck had been up to anything.
"I said he had just robbed a bank and they said they had better send for the duck squad.
"I also told him how much he loves his real ale. They were laughing but I made sure to point out to them that this was not a laughing matter as every time he needs to go to the pub I have to go with him.
"I told them I have never believed in drink driving so what I do is drive there and the duck drives back.
"They then asked 'how do you know if the duck is drunk?' “But he can handle his drink better than I can and having a pair of flippers means he can have a few extra pints.
"They still won't let him have his driving licence though - I think that is because he is only six.
"They didn't breathalyse Star as he wasn't driving at the time, but I reckon the police officers were told to keep an eye out for him during their morning briefing as he can be a danger to the public.
"They couldn't put the handcuffs on him as he doesn't have any hands.
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"The whole encounter made the two officer's day. Instead of abuse they get they were able to have a laugh and a joke.
"They did say that if he does drive he would surely be a better driver than a lot of others around here.” Barrie, who lives with wife Sue, plucked Star from the incubator in 2011 when he was just days old.
Star was named Britain’s “booziest duck” after it got into a bar brawl with one of Barrie’s other dogs Meggie at their local pub The Old Courthouse Inn in Chumleigh, Devon, in April last year.
The alcohol-loving avian, whose favourite past-time is swigging ale from a glass, was seriously injured when Meggie took exception to his intoxicated antics and split his beak.