Thermal drone locates missing dog that was hit by a car, swam across a river, and survived for 48 hours despite a broken leg

In the UK, a one-year-old bulldog was located by a after it was hit by a car, swam across the River Don, and survived in the wild for 48 hours despite having a leg that was broken in two places.

Thermal drone locates missing dog that was hit by a car

Stella, the one-year-old bulldog was reunited with her owners after an incredible rescue mission. The dog had suffered a broken leg after being hit by a car in Sprotbrough. After the accident, the dog panicked and jumped into the River Don. She swam across to the other side and disappeared.

A team of volunteer pet hunters in Doncaster helped in the search for Stella but they were unable to find her. In the end, it took 48 hours and the help of a thermal drone to find the young dog more than a mile from where she went missing, hiding in the bushes.

Thermal Drone Locates Missing Dog That Was Hit By A Car, Swam Across A River, And Survived For 48 Hours Despite A Broken Leg 1

Darcey Edwards, of Lost and Found Pets Doncaster Team Houdini, explained to the Doncaster Free Press how the tale had had a happy ending after the frightened dog had spent two days sheltering in the wild. She said:

โ€œWe went out with the owner who was on the ground while the drone was above. At one stage, the owner was just a few feet away from the dog and the drone could see her but she couldn’t be seen from the ground because she was cowering in the brambles. We managed to get her out, but she couldn’t walk and was exhausted and dehydrated.”

Stella had broken her leg in two places but after successful surgery, she is now recovering at home.

Edwards added: โ€œIt is absolutely brilliant we managed to find her after what had happened to her.

 

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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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