This isn’t a real deer, it’s a robot and it’s helping Florida deputies bust criminals

Florida has had a problem with people illegally hunting on private property, and so the deputies of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office have enlisted thehelp of three robotic deer to help catch criminals in the act. As WFLA News Channel 8 reports, the life-like deer can turn their heads, and even wiggle their tails.

Deputies will put a deer, in this case, “Robbie,” 80 yards away from a road and then hide and watch. Deputy Jeff Gross told WFLA, "We get guys that shoot at it multiple times. Unlike a real deer, it doesn't run off, and then they'll make comments, you know, about it being a dumb deer, they can't believe it's still standing there, ‘I can’t believe I missed the shot.’"

If one shoots at these deer, it’s a third-degree felony. Deputies will follow the person who fired the shot and arrest them. Since gunfire frequently damages our robotic, crime-fighting deer friends, judges will order those convicted to pay for repairs.

More info: WFLA