Drone Shot Down in Maine

[High_Order1]

"This hurts my business" Drone shot in Maine during search for missing dogs

CORINTH, Maine —
A man who runs a drone business, often helping search for missing people and animals, says one of his drones was shot in mid-air earlier this week.

Rob Russell runs 2A Tac Air Services. He searches for missing pets and people across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont using his three drones.
He says he was flying in Corinth on Tuesday, September 9th, looking for two missing beagles when he says someone shot the drone, damaging its front sensors.


"Had it hit the camera, that's an additional $5,000 and at that point they can't fix that." explains Russell.

He says the drone was 366 feet up when he was alerted to a problem and landed.

"I didn't think much of it. Sometimes they go off and it's nothing. I didn't know it was shot until I saw the hole through the sensors."

He says authorities are now investigating.

"It both violates Maine statutes and is also a federal offense. Shooting a commercial drone is the same charge as shooting at a plane full of people." he continues, "I can't use it. It's going to be out of my use for a long time, and that affects what I do," says Russell.

Russell says it's rare for a drone to be shot at, but the consequences are serious. Repairs could cost thousands of dollars, setting his business back.

"I have three drones with me in case one goes down or is in for repairs, but even down to two doesn't put my mind at ease. This whole operation is more than $20,000."

Russell says the end goal is to help people reunite with their loved ones and provide additional help to law enforcement, should they need it.

 

[jaja6009]

I saw this the other day.

There are several pet finder services that show their work on Youtube. When they are successful in finding a beloved lost pet, it is such an emotional moment. To have some crazy shoot down a drone that may have been helping to reunite people with a family member is tragic.

I hope the shooter has to pay for a new drone and also face the full legal consequences of their actions.

 

[GFields]

I hope the shooter gets the maximum fine.