A police officer's use of pepper spray against a Nutley family during a domestic dispute was justified and reasonable, a state appeals court ruled.

The family had previously had 55 other interactions with police, 25 of which were related to domestic disputes, court records show.

Anthony Pace Sr. and Diana Pace sued the Nutley Police Department claiming an officer used "excessive force" when he pepper sprayed Anthony Pace Sr. and his son in 2012, according to the complaint.

Diana Pace had called police in October 2012, telling the dispatcher they needed officers at their home. "This time it's for real," she told the dispatcher according to court records. When police arrived, Diana Pace was outside her home and said her husband was out of control, records show.

Officers entered the home but were told to leave; when another officer tried to enter the home, Anthony Pace Jr. pushed the officer back and his father also tried to push the officer but did not touch him, records show.

The two men were pepper-sprayed in the face and later arrested.

A lower court dismissed the lawsuit and the Appellate Division upheld that ruling this week.

"Especially where a police officer was attacked, the use of pepper spray was objectively reasonable in light of the facts and circumstances confronting the officers," the ruling said.

Calls to the attorneys representing the Pace family and the Nutley Police Department were not returned.

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.