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Man Caught On Video Using Possible Pepper Spray On Dogs

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Authorities in Arapahoe County would like the public's help identifying a man who used pepper spray on three dogs and then took one of the dogs from a backyard of a home.

The man can be seen on video appearing in a backyard, but with all the homes backing up to an open space, investigators aren't sure where the man came from and so far no one in the area recognizes him.

"This is a very unique circumstance," Chief Glenn Thompson with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office said.

The incident happened at 11:20 a.m. on Friday.

"Our suspect comes into the backyard and sprays their three dogs with something … it appears to be maybe some pepper spray or mace or something like that," Thompson said.

The dogs appear agitated by the man, but two hours later there's another encounter in the backyard.

"The man is carrying a bag, a golf club and appears to be chasing one of the dogs," Thompson said.

Investigators say the man actually entered the home and left with a dog named Roo.

stolen dog roo
Roo (credit: Arapahoe Co. Sheriff's Office)

"We think it's one person," Thompson said. "We've checked with neighbors, canvassed the area to see if anyone recognizes him and so far we've come up with no one."

Many of the backyards in the neighborhood have barking dogs.

"It could be one of those situations where we're looking for somebody that was irritated by the dogs or doesn't like the dogs or is maybe stealing the dog."

CBS4 talked with family members who said there was a complaint at the beginning of the year and another incident a few days ago where some opened the dog's gates and allowed them to run away. Two dogs were later rescued, but Roo stayed home that day.

"They didn't recognize the person in the video, they don't report having any particular problems or issues with anybody around."

The person could be facing charges of trespassing and burglary and potentially animal cruelty.

Additional Information From The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-STOP (7867). Text to CRIMES (274637) then title DMCS and enter the message or send an e-mail to metro-denvercrimestoppers.com.

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