FORT GREENE — A drone that flies above Fort Greene Park during the early morning hours has some dog owners barking mad — saying that he buzzing devices are disturbing their pups.
Eric, 24, who declined to give his last name, said he has lived near the park his entire life and flies his homemade drone every morning after he gets off work at his overnight job in Westchester.
He arrives at the park around 8 a.m. — at the same time that dozens of Fort Greene dog owners let their pooches run free there, he said. The park's off-leash hours are from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
The drone, which is about 2 feet tall, makes a buzzing noise and dips in and out of trees, often swooping near the ground before ascending again.
Some dog owners say the drone's noise and movement disturbs their dogs.
"The dogs cower and try to figure out how to escape — it's scary for them," said artist Limor Gasko, who lives in the neighborhood and walks her mixed-breed dog Cassie in the mornings. "And I feel the same way."
Gasko thinks that drones should be illegal in parks where people come for the "peace and quiet," she said.
Rachel Bowers, owner of Brooklyn Bark, a local dog walking company, said she has heard complaints from other dog owners about the effect the drone has on their pups.
"It has freaked a few dogs out who have no idea what to make of a strange flying thingy," she wrote in an email to DNAinfo New York.
The Parks Department does not allow drones at Fort Greene Park, a spokeswoman said. It is unclear what the penalties are or if anyone had been penalized.
Some parks do have designated flying areas.
The Federal Aviation Administration also does not allow drones, called unmanned aircraft systems, in New York City. They do not strictly enforce the rule and "promote voluntary compliance" but will at times issue "warning notices, letters of correction, and civil penalties" if the rule is violated, a spokesman said.
Eric started flying the drone a few weeks back in the part of the park where the majority of dogs congregate but later moved to a more secluded spot where he could get away from the hoards of dogs that flock to his drone.
"I do my best to be considerate," the aviation enthusiast said. "I find the quietest corner of the park that I possibly can."
Eric said he flies the drone for "fun and the sense of adventure."
"I have had a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot and this is my contribution to aviation," he said.
And many think that Eric has a right to fly his drone wherever he chooses.
"It's a park, it's for everyone," said dog owner Camella Atcheson. Her pup Luna, who is a mix of breeds, is blind and is not bothered by the buzzing noise, but did bump into it on a recent morning.
"He almost stepped on it but just missed," she said.
Others say their dogs love the drone or don't seem to notice it. Dian Needham said canines have a blast running after the flying object.
"They chase it and bark at it — they're having fun," she said. "And the owner seems to have very good control over his drone."
But Gasko is afraid the drone might set a precedent for more people to fly their drones in the park.
"Sure one might be tolerable but we'll see what people say when dozens of drones are flying through the park," she said.
