Man accused of spraying protesters with fox urine

[February 04, 2010]  PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- A 36-year-old Maine man facing assault charges after allegedly spraying fox urine on protesters and a police officer outside a Portland restaurant.

 Police said the man was arrested Sunday night after spraying a group outside The Front Room restaurant protesting what they call labor violations. Restaurant owner Harding Lee Smith was the target of a lawsuit claiming he's been violating state and federal wage and hour rules.

Police said the suspect lives in an apartment above the restaurant, but does not work there. Smith told The Portland Daily Sun that Murphy might have been reacting to the protests that have been taking place outside his restaurant.

Fox urine is commonly used as a repellant to keep animals out of people's gardens.

[Associated Press]

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