Two dogs have recovered after being sprayed with bear mace in their own backyard. The dogs are OK, but their owners say they want to make sure no other animals fall victim to the unknown assailants.
Cole Harbour, N.S. resident Christine Rawding says the incident happened just over a week ago after she let two-year-old Kodah and nine-month-old Lexi out in a fenced area.
“The dogs were let out to pee in the backyard and when we went to let them in they were acting really weird,” says Rawding.
“They were jumping around, they were hitting their heads on things and they had orange all over them.”
She says she later learned the dogs had been sprayed in the face with bear mace.
“It’s devastating to think that someone would just randomly walk up and hurt your dogs,” says Rawding.
“Kodah got the worst of it. The spray was just so intense it actually swelled his eyes shut. It took two days for his eyes to go back to normal.”
Veterinarian Rick Swinemar says it’s very important to get rid of the irritant if a dog has been sprayed.
“Medical first aid is to hose it off immediately, running water, cool water, to get that irritant off,” says Swinemar.
Rawding and her partner acted quickly to rinse the dogs. The pets have since made a full recovery.
She wanted to share her story to warn others in her neighbourhood to use extra caution when sending pets or children outside to play.
“Imagine if your kids were in the backyard, someone walks up and does it.”
RCMP were called to investigate the incident but they have yet to locate any suspects.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Gena Holley
