Bear spray has become a weapon of choice for some of Edmonton’s youth
Date: Jul 26, 2008 11:31 AM
PUBLICATION: Edmonton Journal
DATE: 2008.07.26
EDITION: Final
SECTION: Cityplus
PAGE: B1 / FRONT
KEYWORDS: ROBBERIES; ALBERTA; HOME INVASIONS; ASSAULT; CRIME
DATELINE: EDMONTON
BYLINE: Sara Ditta and Steve Lillebuen
SOURCE: The Edmonton Journal
WORD COUNT: 386

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Bear spray attacks puzzle cops; Latest victim walking dog was left with burning
eyes, trouble breathing

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EDMONTON – A recent rash of bear spray attacks, mostly involving teenagers, has
police concerned.

During the most recent one on Thursday night, a group of teenagers attacked a man
with bear spray while he was out walking his dog. It has become a weapon of choice
for some of Edmonton’s youth, leaving their victims incapacitated with burning
eyes, skin and difficulty breathing. “It’s a very, very unpleasant experience,”
said Staff Sgt. Doug Fedechko.

It has no long-term effects, but can cause a particularly severe reaction to those
with asthma.

The spray is normally used by hikers and hunters to protect against dangerous wildlife
attacks, but has also been used on city streets lately. “We’re obviously
concerned about any kind of attacks on any unsuspecting victim,” said Staff
Sgt. Doug Fedechko. “But when they involve weapons, it’s a greater concern.”

Other recent attacks include one last month when six teens were attacked at a west-end
school field and another in late May, leaving two teenagers bear-sprayed and assaulted
by a male. Both were random attacks with no clear motive.

And the problem isn’t isolated to Edmonton. Across Alberta, many bear-spray
attacks have occurred this year, especially in Fort McMurray where police have charged
youth in connection with such crimes. Bear spray has been used there during a home
invasion, a convenience store robbery and a street assault. “We take this very
seriously,” said Fort McMurray RCMP spokesman Ali Fayad. “It’s a prohibited
weapon. If you’re found with bear spray, in a lot of cases, you could face charges,
especially if it’s discharged or used.”

Paramedics treat bear spray attacks seriously and classify them as a chemical exposure.
If it is used in a fight, they wait for police to secure a scene before aiding a
victim due to safety concerns.

But it, along with the less potent dog spray, can be found at many sports and hunting
stores.

At Mountain Equipment Co-op, buyers sign a waiver saying they’re aware of the
product and its uses, said manager Mike Eerkes.

Buyers fill out a form and may be asked to provide identification at Wholesale Sports,
said floor manager Dave George.

Both stores have refused to sell to suspicious people on occasion.

But it’s often couples going camping and women using it for protection who purchase
the spray, said George.

MilArm Ltd., a local gun store, asks customers to fill out a registration form and
provide identification, but sells to even shifty-looking customers, said Gordon
McGowan, its president. “Just because a person looks like a cretin, I can’t
refuse them,” he said. But asking for identification usually dissuades those
with nefarious motives and they leave without the spray.

Perpetrators may be obtaining the weapon from stores, but could just as easily find
it in their parents’ house, said Fedechko.

Stephen Herrero, who has studied the effects of the spray on bears, said it needs
to be readily available. It’s surprisingly effective in stopping bears, and
research suggests that it works better than guns on them, he said.

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The Second Amendment IS Homeland Security !