Jon Stewart saves runaway goats who disrupted New York City subway system

Two goats have been saved by a famous American comedian after taking a stroll along the New York City subway system, delighting commuters in the bustling city.

News of the two goats came via the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Twitter account, which posted photos of the animals roaming along the outdoor tracks of the N train mid-morning on Monday in Brooklyn.

After eventually being caught, the two goats were transported to an animal sanctuary thanks to the kind intervention of Jon Stewart, the former host of The Daily Show and an acclaimed comedian. He reportedly named the pair Billy and Willy after helping lead the goats into a truck to take them to an animal sanctuary he had partnered with to give them a home.

The MTA Twitter account — which generally sends updates to commuters about delays and disruptions of train schedules — ensured New Yorkers throughout the affair that no train services was impacted by the goats, but continued to update its followers throughout the day.

“New one for us (we think): Two goats are roaming along the N line tracks in Brooklyn,” a first tweet from the account says. “They’re safe and not currently affecting service, but they are on the run. We’ll keep you posted.”

While at least one train line was eventually rerouted, the goats were quickly caught by the New York Police Department, and the MTA provided provided levity with some puns.

“The goats have been removed from the tracks by NYPD, and service is resuming,” one tweet said. “We thank ewe for your patience”.

Stewart is a longtime animal welfare activist, and supports the Farm Sanctuary shelter in upstate New York where the two goats were taken. Stewart and his wife, Tracey, have previously gone out of their way to protect other vulnerable animals as well, adopting an abused horse and a bull that managed to escape a slaughterhouse.

The pair also opened up an animal sanctuary of their own in 2015, the same year he announced he was leaving the Daily Show.