A 54-year-old man was attacked by bear spray while walking his dog late Thursday, April 18 on Big Bear Ridge in central Nanaimo. Police are investigating the incident. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

unprovoked attack

Vulnerable man blasted with bear spray in quiet Nanaimo neighbourhood

Apr 23, 2024 | 2:50 PM

NANAIMO — A man with diversabilities is afraid of going for walks alone after being victimized by an apparent unprovoked, senseless attack.

On Thursday, April 18 just before 8:30 p.m., the 54-year-old man was walking home on Big Bear Ridge in the Brannen Lake area with his dog after visiting his mother’s home nearby.

Sherry Smart, the victim’s sister, said he was near the roundabout at Godfrey Rd. when he was attacked from behind by a young person using bear spray.

“He did notice one person that was walking behind him, not really close…my brother said he was wearing a dark hoodie and had it pulled over his face and was talking on the phone. He said he thinks it was an older teen. He wasn’t on alert or anything, the next thing he knows he got sprayed.”

People in nearby homes heard screaming outside and came to the man’s aid.

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Nanaimo RCMP, along with paramedics arrived on scene and helped the man rinse his eyes.

BC Emergency Health Services confirmed the man was then transported via ambulance to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for further care.

Smart said they have no reason to believe the attack was instigated by her brother in any way.

“He said his dog wasn’t barking or anything, it’s not like the dog was trying to go after somebody and my brother had to hold him, that’s not what it was at all. The dog and my brother were just walking fine, there were no indications from the dog that anything was up or going to happen.”

The incident has had a profound effect on her brother, Smart added, who said requires specialized care.

He’s uneasy about venturing out alone without a family member or caregiver by his side, Smart told NanaimoNewsNOW.

“I said to him, how is this going to affect you every day from now on? Are you just going to go back out and walk the dog by yourself or are you going to make sure somebody goes with you? He said ‘no, I’m not going to walk the dog by myself again.’ He’s not prepared to do that on his own again.”

Illegitimate uses of bear spray have been a documented concern referenced by Nanaimo RCMP, in particular among young males.

Several young offenders and young adults have been charged/convicted for assaulting people with the use of bear spray.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said their members canvassed the area following last week’s attack and could not identify a suspect, described as a young male wearing dark clothing.

He said the use of bear spray in uses beyond warding off unwanted wildlife encounters is undoubtedly on the rise.

“We’re finding it’s being used more and more where people are not hesitating to use bear spray to defend themselves or to perpetuate a crime,” O’Brien said, noting improper use of bear spray can result in a charge of assault with a weapon.

– with files from Alex Rawnsley

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ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes