The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Several sheriff’s deputies and a K9 suffered from injuries while trying to arrest a suspect when he allegedly discharged bear repellent spray in a purported attempt to escape.
On November 24, a man with an active arrest warrant was walking down a street in Vero Beach when he was spotted by a deputy from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy attempted to stop him, but he reportedly refused and began running. Additional sheriff’s deputies and a K9 went to the location to assist, but the suspect allegedly continued trying to get away from them.
After reportedly trying multiple times to get the man to stop and lie on the ground, the deputies decided to send the K9 to assist them. The suspect allegedly pointed and sprayed bear repellent at the dog, and according to the police report, the mist caused the K9 and eight officers “chemical irritation to their eyes, skin, and throat” that required treatment at the scene.