Throughout the province, there are reports almost weekly of bear spray being used in public spaces, either as a weapon or as a way to cause mischief. It is mainly seen in the major cities such as Regina and Saskatoon, but it isn’t unheard of in places like Weyburn.
“We’ve had it a few different occasions,” explained Deputy Police Chief Shane St. John with the Weyburn Police Service. “We have charged people with assault with a weapon for using it in those circumstances. It’s used sometimes and it’s not reported to us, but we have seized bear spray before.”
Last year, the provincial government introduced legislation regarding bear spray aimed to restrict the possession of bear spray in public, urban spaces. Penalties for possessing bear spray in public urban spaces or defacing or altering the bear spray to hide or disguise it, can see fines of up to $100,000.
“You can not have it anywhere else on your person unless you are out hunting,” said St. John. Other exempted uses include conservation officers, and those hiking in areas where there is the possibility to encounter bears.
Bear spray, which uses capsaicin as a key ingredient to deter bears and other wildlife, can affect more than just the target of the spray.
“I’ve been in a building with it, and it’s really, really tough,” St. John noted. “Just one spray in one apartment will clean out a whole building.”