Multiple youth bear maced at May 24 weekend field party in Torbay

CBC

18-05-2025

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The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary are reporting that a bear macing incident occurred at a May 24 weekend field party in the Town of Torbay on the evening of May 17.
According to a RNC overnight activity report, at 10:36 P.M. patrol services responded to reports of multiple youth getting bear maced, and one youth wounded.
RNC communications officer, Const. James Cadigan, was unable to confirm to CBC News the cause of the one wounded youth, and if there are any youth in hospital.
He says there are currently no arrests.
According to Parks Canada, bear spray is typically used to deter aggressive wildlife and it does so by quickly releasing a large cloud of pepper spray that will cause a bear's eyes and skin to sting and have difficulty breathing.
Cadigan says the RNC is asking that anyone who has information that would allow them to support the public's safety to contact them.
Ahead of the long weekend on May 15, the RNC put out a warning about the risks of hosting and attending underage parties.
"Unsupervised parties including field parties are unsafe for everyone," wrote Cadigan in the release. "Parents and property owners are warned that they can be held liable in the event of injury and death."
Some of the risks include challenges for emergency responders to locate the incident, no fire safety, no crowd controls, no security and no food or drink controls.
On Saturday, in response to a question about similar events being planned for Sunday evening, Cadigan said that the police have these same concerns.
Cadigan also noted that there is no secret location for field parties. He said due to social media, there is always a way to find out where these parties are located.
The incident remains under investigation by the RNC's Criminal Investigation Division.