Drone deliveries and dogs
Dog Owners: A show of hands, please- if you know exactly what would happen if a drone landed on your property. I tend to see a problem, (and a mangled drone).
Forum Discussion
This is an area where technology has shot way ahead of our laws. Even the proposed regulations on drones won't go into effect for a couple of years (if my understanding is right) and if Amazon has anything to do with it, the proposals will be changed before enacted.
I think the question about invasion of privacy is one that will be battled out in the courts. There is no question that with increased numbers and use by anyone out there (rather than trained, skilled users) that they could become a problem in lots of different ways. There have even been reports of "near misses" with commercial aircraft.
The question about these things being dangerous to living things is a no brainer. That's why the RC clubs have flying fields and for the most part hobby fliers observe safety protocols.
I've never seen an injury to an animal or a person from contact with a prop from an RC plane or helicopter, but I've seen many cats severely wounded from fan belt/radiator fan injuries and they aren't pretty. I'd suspect a similar type of injury, just a little less force from a small drone.
Doug, DVM
I think the question about invasion of privacy is one that will be battled out in the courts. There is no question that with increased numbers and use by anyone out there (rather than trained, skilled users) that they could become a problem in lots of different ways. There have even been reports of "near misses" with commercial aircraft.
The question about these things being dangerous to living things is a no brainer. That's why the RC clubs have flying fields and for the most part hobby fliers observe safety protocols.
I've never seen an injury to an animal or a person from contact with a prop from an RC plane or helicopter, but I've seen many cats severely wounded from fan belt/radiator fan injuries and they aren't pretty. I'd suspect a similar type of injury, just a little less force from a small drone.
Doug, DVM
