Lee animal control officers upset over pepper spray ban

FORT MYERS, Fla. A ban on the use of pepper spray by Lee County animal control officers has led one of the officers to resign and upset many others.

Former Lee County Domestic Animal Services employee Gary Byrnes, who stepped down, insists pepper spray is necessary for self-defense, a sentiment many of his former co-workers share.

“Since the removal of pepper spray every animal control officer is at the risk of being seriously injured or worse,” Byrnes said. “That decision is negligent and shows that Lee County is not concerned with the well being of its officers.”

Two pit bulls were euthanized earlier this month for allegedly attacking Keith Sechrist, an animal control investigator. Sechrist and two other Animal Control officers responded to a call about two escaped dogs who were chasing a neighbor, the Fort Myers Police Department said.

Sechrist, who is still recovering from the attack, said he used a control pole to capture one of the dogs because he was forced to turn in his pepper spray in February for unknown reasons. The other officers involved in the incident were able to use their pepper spray at that time.

Lee County Domestic Animal Services responded to more than 1,600 calls for stray aggressive animals and more than 1,100 calls for animal bites in 2016.

A Lee County spokesperson, in a statement, referred to pepper as a “self-defense product” but said its use was halted “due to inconsistencies in its use.” It’s unclear what sort of inconsistencies the spokesperson was referring to. The spokesperson declined to elaborate.

The Lee County Attorney’s office and Lee County administrators are reviewing the issue.