A 9-year-old golden retriever mix named Abbie, who escaped from a rest stop along the New Jersey Turnpike, was safely located and rescued thanks to the innovative use of drone technology. The dog had wandered approximately 25 miles before being found by a specialized search and rescue team.
Key Takeaways
- A dog named Abbie escaped during a rest stop in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
- She was located using a drone equipped with thermal imaging.
- Abbie was found cold, fearful, and with a hip injury requiring surgery.
- The dog was traveling from South Carolina to Maine but will now be adopted locally.
The Escape and Search
Abbie was traveling from a South Carolina shelter, Final Victory Animal Rescue, to a planned new home in Maine. The incident occurred on a Saturday morning when handlers stopped at a service area in East Brunswick. While the dogs were let out for a break, Abbie, a 9-year-old golden retriever mix, bolted.
Utilizing Advanced Technology
Although Abbie had a tracking tag for her general location, volunteers from the New Jersey-based Unmanned Search and Rescue (USAR) drone team were instrumental in her recovery. The team deployed a drone equipped with thermal imaging technology, which allowed them to pinpoint Abbie’s location in a wooded area. This aerial surveillance guided ground rescuers to the frightened canine.
Rescue and Recovery
Woodbridge Township police, working with the USAR team, successfully rescued Abbie around 2 a.m. Sunday, approximately 15 miles from where she initially escaped. Upon finding her, Abbie was cold and very fearful. She was later diagnosed with a hip injury that will necessitate surgery. This marked the USAR team’s 123rd successful dog rescue.
A New Beginning
Following her rescue, Final Victory Animal Rescue announced that Maine was no longer in Abbie’s future. She has returned to South Carolina and will be adopted by the family that had been fostering her. The shelter expressed immense gratitude to all agencies involved for their swift and effective response, highlighting the success of combining "boots on the ground and eyes in the sky."
Sources
- Rescuers use drone technology to find dog that escaped along New Jersey Turnpike, ABC News.
- Rescuers use drone technology to find dog traveling from SC that escaped along New Jersey Turnpike, WIS News 10.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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