Justice of the Peace Candidate Pepper-sprayed Service Dogs in Fannin County, Trainers Say

The directors of a Fannin County service dog training facility say a former constable and justice of the peace candidate pepper-sprayed their service dogs last week while on a campaign stop.Shoshana Tanner, executive director of Topaz Canine Services, said Bob Clemons, who is running for county justice of the peace, entered the facility property unannounced on Thursday and lingered by the back door. The facility is in Leonard, about an hour northeast of Dallas. When Tanner opened the back door to go to her car, the dogs — three yellow Labrador Retrievers — followed her outside and excitedly ran toward Clemons with tails wagging, she said.One dog let out a bark, and “it wasn’t an aggressive bark at all,” she said. Then, Clemons sprayed the dogs with pepper spray.Macy, the dog that was sprayed in the face, is a retired service dog who worked with children with autism in schools, Tanner said. A service dog in training, Nova, was sprayed indirectly in the eye.Tanner's husband, Robert, required medical attention because of the spray, Tanner said.   Continue reading...