Chicago: A drone enthusiast testing out his
airborne camera discovered a river of blood behind a Texas
meatpacking plant, prompting outrage and investigations by
local authorities.
"We were very concerned with the fact that this discharge
was going into the creek which is going into one of our
treasures -- the Trinity River," Zachary Thompson, director of
Dallas County Health and Human Services, said.
"People should be able to use it as a fun and
recreational area. You don't want to see it impacted by any
kind of discharge."
Especially not pig blood.
"I was looking at images after the flight that showed a
blood red creek and was thinking, could this really be what I
think it is? Can you really do that, surely not? " the drone
operator told sUAS News -- an online magazine for small
unmanned aerial system enthusiasts.
"Whatever it is, it was flat out gross."
The plant operator has said that the spill was caused by
a clogged pipe, Thompson said. But it's not clear whether the
pipes leading into the creek were legal.
A spokesman for the city of Dallas's attorney -- who has
reportedly filed charges in the case -- did not return a
request for comment.
PTI
First Published: Friday, January 27, 2012, 23:43