Bear spray threat in attempted dognapping

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This article was published 13/01/2023 (971 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg police are seeking two women suspected of trying to steal a man’s dog in the Spence neighbourhood early Thursday.

Police said Friday a man in his 50s was walking his dog near McMicken Street and Sargent Avenue at around 6 a.m. when two women approached him and asked to pet the animal. When he said no, one of the women reportedly grabbed the leash from the man and threatened him with bear deterrent spray.

The dog owner punched the woman, who released the leash, before the man and his pet ran away.

It’s unclear what motivated the attempted theft, police spokeswoman Const. Dani McKinnon said, describing the dog as a large shepherd, but it appears the animal was the goal.

“My understanding is they went directly into that… threat. They grabbed the dog right away and indicated that they had bear spray, and the victim observed the bear spray,” McKinnon said.

“Typically, if it’s something else, they’ll quickly ask for money or a cellphone, and none of those requests were made.”

She said it’s not common for police to see an attempted theft of a pet.

“We certainly have had a few reports, but most haven’t been under circumstances where somebody’s just out walking their pet,” McKinnon said.

“I recall another one where a dog was stolen out of a front yard or a backyard, but to outwardly confront someone with a threat of violence — that’s rare.”

Police described the suspects as two women in their 30s.

The first appeared Indigenous, with a medium-to-large build and dark hair tied back. She was wearing a three-quarters-length jacket.

The second suspect had a medium build and was smoking a cigarette.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera