Men Hunting Illegally Arrested With Help Of 'Robo-Deer'

LEONARDTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Two hunters in Maryland were arrested after they unknowingly shot a "Robo-Deer" belonging to the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

The Washington Post reports that in October, 21-year-old David Few and 24-year-old Brian Stitley directed flashlights at Robo-Deer and then shot the dummy with crossbows from a road in Leonardtown. Soon after, officers walked up to the men in their truck.

Police spokeswoman Candy Thomson says the department has three animals: Robo-Deer, Robo-Bear and Robo-Turkey. The robo-animals help the police stop people who shoot real animals out of season or illegally.

Thursday, a district judge dropped most of the charges against the men, including hunting from a vehicle and possessing marijuana. The men pleaded guilty to one charge each, of spotlighting the deer.

Thomson says Robo-Deer sustained "minor injuries."

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