PETA Wants to Launch Drone Program to Spy on Hunters and Their 'Sickening Pursuit

Photo source: Aerobot.co.au

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) announced Monday that it has come up with a drone program it claims even Sen. Rand Paul "might be able to get behind."

Yes, the  controversial animal rights group said it is seeking to launch a drone program intended to spy on hunters who "terrorize animals and break game laws."

"With more than five times as many wildlife watchers as there are hunters in the U.S., we hope to expose further why hunting is a sick and sickening pursuit," PETA stated. An official blog post continued:

PETA has come up with a drone program that even Rand Paul might be able to get behind. Inspired by the increasing use of drones for nonmilitary purposes, such as fighting wildfires and conducting search-and-rescue missions, PETA is planning to acquire a drone of its own to spy on hunters and catch them in the act as they terrorize animals and break game laws.

PETA has decided to use a remote-controlled aircraft to collect and publicize footage of hunters shooting animals and allowing them to escape, only to die slowly and in agony, among other common violations. PETA has contacted Australia-based drone manufacturer Aerobot, maker of the state-of-the-art, remote-controlled helicopters that can be outfitted with a video camera, to discuss which of its products would best fit the purpose. The drones can also be used to fly over factory farms and other areas that are hotbeds of abuse.

In accordance with its policy of non-violence, PETA said the drones will not have weapons capabilities, but rather will be used to record potentially illegal hunting activity around farms, fishing spots and other areas with a view of sharing the footage with law enforcement.

"The talk is usually about drones being used as killing machines, but PETA drones will be used to save lives," PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk said in a statement.