Dog Lost in Windstorm Found With Thermal Drone

An Australian Shepherd lost in a windstorm over the weekend was reunited with her distressed owner, with some help from a thermal drone.

Mission Viejo Animal Services responded to a call Friday morning from a Rancho Santa Margarita resident who reported that strong winds had startled the 16-month-old dog, Lana, prompting her to flee into a canyon area between Dove Canyon and Coto de Caza. (The agency also serves Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel.)

Initial attempts to conduct a drone search were thwarted by the windstorm, and the ground operation was called off before nightfall, the agency said. The following morning, a resident called about a dog barking in a remote canyon roughly a mile from where the canine was reported missing.

Three animal control officers returned to the area and used the thermal drone to pinpoint the exact location of the missing pet, then waded through dense brush and a steep ravine to bring the animal to safety, Animal Services Manager Kyle Werner said.