"He said Brian was sprayed because the other dog was an AOS dog and very aggressive. I understand that but I don't think it's fair that they were on our property and my dog has been sprayed.
"But I am feeling a lot better about it now I've spoken to Jason. I understand they're trained to be aggressive but they should be able to tell their dog 'no'. He [Brian] was just being inquisitive."
She said she was livid when it happened, just after 6pm on Thursday. She had been inside on the couch while Brian was outside.
"I heard him barking, I called him in and when he came back he had orange stuff on him. I went around the corner and saw the handler next door, lifting his dog over a fence.
"He told me to go back inside. I sniffed Brian and started tearing up, then I googled and found that pepper spray could be orange."
She called the after-hours vet, who gave her advice and then she started washing her pet.
"He had swelling in the eye but that went down in about an hour and he was more quiet than usual."
He was picked up yesterday by K9 Cuts, a Mamaku business, and given a luxurious treatment to help his skin.
Bay of Plenty police Inspector Brent Crowe said the dog handler had tried to keep his dog away from Brian.
"Attempts by the officer to verbally encourage the small dog to back away did not succeed," he said.
"The officer also attempted to push the small dog away but he continued to approach the police dog barking. The handler became seriously concerned for the safety of the small dog. He utilised the spray knowing it would make the dog retreat and protect him from being bitten and seriously injured by the police dog.
"It was not a decision taken lightly, and was taken in the overall best interests of the small dog. Police fully appreciate the distress caused to Brian's owner and have visited her to explain the decision and apologise for any concern caused. Police have also offered further assistance should, for instance, any vets bills need to be paid."
