The municipality of Sderot, a city near the Gaza border, is set to deploy drones in the coming days that will regularly patrol the city’s skies. Nearly two and a half years after Hamas’ brutal attack, the reason this time is not security-related, but a far more routine battle: dog waste.
Sderot’s Environmental Quality Department and municipal enforcement unit have decided not to rely solely on foot patrols and will begin operating enforcement drones over gardens, parks and streets throughout the city. The goal is to identify residents who fail to clean up after their pets, using smart cameras capable of detecting violations in real time. Anyone caught leaving behind a “landmine” on a sidewalk or public lawn faces a fine of 475 shekels.
City officials say the technology will also be used to enforce leash laws and to check dog registration, microchipping and vaccinations. “We will show no tolerance toward those who choose to leave a hazard behind them,” the municipality said. “Problematic hotspots have been identified across the city, and uncompromising enforcement will be carried out there. The enforcement drone will conduct ongoing monitoring of public spaces, and in cases of violations, tickets will be issued — to ensure clean, safe and respectful public areas in gardens, parks and city streets.”
Assaf Blachsan, a veteran municipal inspector, will operate one of the drones. “If I identify a violation, I can dispatch an inspector on the ground or arrive myself. I once followed a stray dog on foot for 45 minutes until it reached its home — today the drone does that for me,” he said. The municipality added: “In cases of a first offense, a warning may be issued at the inspector’s discretion.”
Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi said the move to the use of drones "is not intended to punish but to preserve mutual respect and residents’ quality of life. When we maintain a clean public space, we allow children to play safely and parents to stroll comfortably. Technology is a tool that helps us protect the quality of life we all work hard to maintain.”
First published: 08:38, 02.11.26