The city's anti-diabetes ad featuring a fake amputee. (Photo: New York Times)

Deputy Mayor for Government Affairs Howard Wolfson and New York Times Metro Editor Carolyn Ryan battled on Twitter this afternoon over an article that pointed out a city ad warning oversize portions of sugary drinks can lead to diabetes and potentially lost limbs used photoshopped pictures rather than real amputees. Mr. Wolfson sent out four tweets over a four hour period defending the ad and asking whether the Times uses real subscribers or actors in its ads.

After his first message didn't generate a response from the Times, Mr. Wolfson fired off another missive.

Mr. Wolfson's second tweet provoked a response from Times Metro Editor Carolyn Ryan defending the story.

Mr. Wolfson countered by saying it's a fact sugary drinks can cause obesity and diabetes.

Ms. Ryan stuck to her guns.

Mr. Wolfson answered by bringing up his grandmother, who he said was forced to undergo a leg amputation due to diabetes.

As of this writing, Mr. Wolfson had the last word in the Twitter tiff.

Mr. Wolfson was indeed correct that actors appear in the Times' ads. Interestingly, Wil Petre, an actor who appeared in a commercial for the paper's "Weekender" subscription, also appeared in a hilarious parody of the same commercial that spoofed the New York Post.

"I think the tweets pretty much covered it from my end," Mr. Wolfson told The Politicker when we asked him about the dustup.

We also reached out to the article's author, Patrick McGeehan for his take on the situation. He said Mr. Wolfson hadn't attempted to speak with him directly and suggested we speak with Ms. Ryan.

"I don't really do the Twitter thing much, I kind of left it to Carolyn," Mr. McGeehan said. "I didn't engage on it. I was busy reporting today."

Ms. Ryan said she was on a tight deadline with "kind of a sensitive story" and wouldn't be able to comment until later on.

We'll update if we hear from her or if she and Mr. Wolfson resume their Twitter spat.

Full Disclosure: Hunter Walker worked as an intern at the New York Times from 2006-2007. He also has a "Weekender" subscription to the paper.