Neighbours trying to assist with a domestic dispute were assaulted with bear spray early this morning in Dawson City.

An intoxicated man is alleged to have assaulted his common-law wife, Dawson RCMP said this afternoon.

'The woman then went to the neighbours for help,' Sgt. Tim Ashmore of the Dawson RCMP said in an interview. 'And he followed with a can of bear spray.'

Ashmore said the neighbours took off running when the man began spraying.

'But they still got the mist,' he said.

Four adults and four children suffered severe irritation to the skin, face and eyes.

The man then barricaded himself in his bedroom with the remaining bear spray.

After attempting negotiations, police entered the residence and apprehended the man without incident.

Ashmore said the standoff lasted less than an hour.

Vincent Trevor Chudy, 22, of Dawson is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and common assault.

The man was expected to appear in court in Dawson later today.

He was expected to be remanded to Whitehorse to appear in territorial court tomorrow.