Girls charged, one bitten by dog after bear spray incident at Regina playground

Two girls – ages 12 and 13 – are facing charges after a 12-year-old girl and others were allegedly bear-sprayed at a Regina playground on Thursday.

One of the suspects ended up with a bite injury from a police dog.

Police said school resource officers were called to an elementary school on Second Avenue North at around 2 p.m. Police didn’t name the school, but the address corresponds with Mother Teresa Middle School.

“The victim was in the playground area when she was approached by two female youth suspects who sprayed her and several others before fleeing the scene,” police said in a statement.

READ MORE:

• Wascana Pool’s opening day marred by bear spray incident
• Two teens charged after bear mace incident in Regina
• Saskatoon cop hit with bear spray during foot chase: Police

The two suspects were spotted at a second elementary school in the 200 block of Broad Street a short time later, police said, and witnesses reported that one of them had a gun.

Police once again didn’t name the school, but Imperial Community School is located on that block.

Police responded to Imperial School after witnesses said they saw a girl carrying a gun. (980 CJME file photo)

The girls were arrested after a foot chase involving the police dog unit, and were allegedly found to be carrying bear spray and a machete.

“Due to the serious nature of the call for service and the presence of weapons, a police dog was used in the arrest,” police said. “One of the suspects was treated for a dog-bite injury.”

Police said the 12-year-old is now charged with assault with a weapon and carrying a concealed weapon, while the 13-year-old is charged with obstructing a peace officer and failing to comply with release conditions.

Neither can be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.