If you love exploring the Canadian wilderness, you need to protect yourself from wildlife. There are certain regions where you need to carry bear spray lest you face dangerous encounters with bears or other wildlife. While bear sprays are legal, there are legal considerations that dictate their use. If you ever find yourself facing legal issues related to bear spray, consulting a criminal lawyer in Brampton is essential for proper guidance.

Bear spray should be treated as a last resort in an inevitable attack. If the bear is still far away, you can shout, “Hey, Bear,” and it may retreat. This piece reviews the bear spray laws from the Canadian perspective.

What is Bear Spray?

It’s a spray liquid containing capsaicin made to spray an approaching bear with the hope of irritating its eyes. The spray is capable of reaching around 10 meters. You can find these sprays in hardware and wilderness survival stores. The bottle should indicate that the spray was made for animal use. The legally acceptable volume must not be more than 500 ml.

How Does Bear Spray Work?

Bear sprays were never intended to harm the animal but to irritate its eyes temporarily. That way, the furious bear can retreat, and you can escape unharmed. To use it, you will have to remove the safety tip, point the nozzle to the bear’s face, and spray. You need to spray in successive bursts of about a second each.

Laws Regulating its Use

The law is clear that the use of bear spray is restricted to wilderness situations where an encounter with a bear is expected. Suppose you are found carrying bear spray while in the city; you may be charged with walking with concealed weapons as stipulated in section 90 (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Be sure to keep the original labels on the spray bottle, as the law dictates that it must be clear that it was meant for animal use. If you face any legal complexities, it is crucial to get assistance from a fraud lawyer in Brampton who can help navigate the situation.

What Happens if I Use Bear Spray for Self-Defence Against People?

It is an offence to use bear spray for self-defence against another person. It falls under prohibited weapons, and its use is illegal in Canada. Under section 92 (1) of the Criminal Code, you will be charged. If you spray humans with bear spray, it will have the same effects on a bear. It irritates the eyes and causes difficulties in breathing and seeing. For those facing such charges, consulting a harassment lawyer in Brampton can provide much-needed legal advice.

Conclusion

Bear sprays remain a vital survival tool while exploring the wilderness. However, it would be great if you were careful of the legal implications of its use. If you are not careful, you might face trouble if caught with the spray in places where its use is unreasonable.

Even while being careful, we know that it is not unusual to find yourself on the other side of the law. If you face charges related to bear spray use, our team at Brampton Law can come to your help. You can always contact us.