7-year-old boy bear sprayed in string of attacks sparks concern from Saskatoon police [Video]

The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) says it’s taking bear spray attacks seriously after a string of incidents, one including a 7-year-old boy, earlier this week.

Officers responded to five bear spray attacks within less than 24 hours.

The first incident happened in the Riversdale neighbourhood Monday morning when a 24-year-old woman was bear sprayed.

Later that day, police say an unknown person attacked a 7-year-old boy with bear spray in the Pleasant Hill community.

In the evening, police responded to two bear spray incidents in the Confederation Park and Mayfair communities.

The final incident happened just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday in the University Heights neighbourhood.

Police believe the incidents are not connected.

“Those types of incidents affect the community, those affect citizens, and how they feel about their safety,” said Inspector Tyson Lavallee, with the SPS.

“But I need to just reassure the public that our members of the service, we’re also members of the community, …