A British Columbia man who asked a U.S. border guard to say please but instead received a face full of pepper spray is still waiting for an apology.
The story of Desiderio Fortunato of Coquitlam, B.C., made headlines on both sides of the border when he was pepper-sprayed, pinned down by border guards, placed in handcuffs and questioned for three hours on Monday afternoon, all for asking an officer for a bit of courtesy.
"I want an apology from them," Mr. Fortunato, 54, said yesterday. "And I hope that from my experience something good comes out. That means the people at the border become more polite."
Mr. Fortunato was born in Portugal, but has been a Canadian for more than 25 years. He and his wife own another home in Blaine, Wash., and travel back and forth often.
On Monday afternoon, he was crossing the border to pick up his wife's purse, which she had left at their second home.
Mr. Fortunato said this is not the first time U.S. officials have been rude to him. But he never expected it to go so far.
The guard at the border asked him why he was crossing the border and what he did for a living.
"He was very rude. He said, 'Turn off the car.' I said, 'Excuse me sir, please,' " Mr. Fortunato said.
After the third or fourth exchange, the guard stood up and threatened to pepper-spray him. Mr. Fortunato thought it was an intimidation tactic and never expected it to happen.
His seven-month-old dog, Tulu, was sitting in the backseat and also caught some of the spray.
Mr. Fortunato was then handcuffed and questioned for three hours before being released back into Canada.
A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the incident is being investigated, but declined to indicate whether the border official is still on duty.
Tom Schreiber, chief CBP officer in Blaine, said border officials have pepper spray, a baton and a pistol at all times, but use them only when they feel it's necessary. Pepper spray was last used at the Washington land border more than a year ago, he said.
"When we sense there's a problem, we want to get that engine shut off and get those keys under control," Mr. Schreiber said. "This is not a situation where we're asking; this is a situation where we're ordering you to do that."
Mr. Fortunato, a dance teacher, said he plans to cross the border again. To do that, however, he will need to send U.S. Customs proof that he lives where he said he did and a criminal record check.
Of his dealings with customs agents, he said: "It makes me a bit more cynical."
Mona D'Amours, Mr. Fortunato's wife, said her husband has always been polite, and expects the same from others.
"My husband wants the border officials to treat people who are general citizens with dignity, courtesy and respect," she said. "We want answers. We want an apology from the man who instigated the assault. We want a change in their approach to people."