A 12-year-old boy is facing a range of charges after allegedly assaulting a family he didn't know with bear spray, Saskatoon police say.

Police were called to 19th Street and Avenue W on Tuesday evening after reports that a group of people were fighting. They arrived to find several adults trying to restrain a youth.

In a news release, police said the 12-year-old had gone to a house and used bear spray. A 12-year-old girl, 35-year-old woman and 36-year-old man were suffering the effects of bear spray but did not require medical attention.

A toddler may have been exposed to the bear spray as well but officers were unable to speak with the family as they had left before police arrived.

The 12-year-old is facing charges that include breach of undertaking, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, and nine warrants of arrest for various offences.

He appeared in court on Wednesday morning in Saskatoon.