Desiderio Fortunato says he thought the inspector who told him to turn off his engine Monday was rude and asked him to say please.
The 54-year-old British Columbia resident told The Bellingham Herald that the inspector repeatedly ordered him to turn the car off and then said he would spray him if he didn't.
Fortunato says he was stunned and blinded by the pepper spray and was pulled out of the car and handcuffed. He was detained about 3 hours.
Customs and Border Protection spokesman Mike Milne in Seattle says it was a lawful order that travelers must obey. He says the use of force is under review.
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