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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Jack Thurlow

Dog reunited with owner thanks to Nottinghamshire man’s drone operator service

A Nottinghamshire-based drone service helped to reunite an owner with their lost dog.

Drone operator Phil James used his powerful thermal imaging device to help locate Harvey the Husky who had been lost next to a canal in Cotgrave, Rushcliffe.

Mr James, 45, provides this assistance for free in between in his paid jobs and has gained a large following.

The rescue occurred on Monday, June 28, close to Nottingham City Airport when the dog's panicked owner rang Phil in search of her missing pooch.

He said: “I got a call from a woman named Rosie who was very panicked like most owners are when they lose their dogs.

“Luckily because of the work I do I know a lot of the airports, so I rang the manager at Tollerton airport at about 7.20 in the evening just to get permission to fly because it was right next to the airport, and I need permission to fly within the flight restriction zones.

“I got permission before I had even got there, got the drone up and he was located near the canal.

“The Husky had a harness on and obviously got caught up in his harness which meant he’d been stung by nettles and things like that, but he was okay.

“It doesn’t take long to find these dogs with a thermal drone, the thermal drone is equivalent to what police helicopters use – it will find a rabbit in a bush from 70 metres in the air, so it is very powerful.”

A view of the drone (Phil James Drone Service)

Along with over 100 volunteers, Mr James has helped to locate 17 dogs this year alone who have been reported missing by their owners.

He also sells keyrings with his phone number on for anybody that needs his services, and since Monday he says that interest in his operation has soared.

He said: “I have spent years in the police dedicating my life to public service.

“I thought that there was something in this, so I put a WhatsApp group together and I have now got 114 volunteers who help me come out and search.

“I have sold 350 of my keyrings in the last 24 hours and ordered another 200 for Friday!”

Mr James set up a GoFundMe page to help ensure that he and his team can provide the best service to the community. If you would like to donate, click here.

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