BERKELEY -- Investigators are searching for those behind a series of paintball gun attacks on nine people and a dog during the last five weeks, a police spokesman said Wednesday.

No one has been seriously injured, but the paintballs have caused welts, distress and property damage, said Berkeley Sgt. Mary Kusmiss.

One victim was shot in the throat, while another was struck while driving on a busy Berkeley street, police said.

Paintballs are widely available and a common recreational activity.

However, shooting someone outside a sanctioned paintball park and without that person being knowingly involved is a felony, police said.

Few leads

Police have few leads in the cases and have yet to determine if there is a pattern in the afternoon and evening attacks.

The first victim was hit while standing on the sidewalk in the 1900 block of Ward Street at 8 p.m. June 13.

A second attack occurred just 10 minutes later at Solano and Tulare avenues.

Dog was attacked

Last week, there were three attacks on University and Shattuck avenues. There were two attacks Sunday, including one on Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Cedar Street, where a dog was hit, police said.

Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to call the Berkeley Police Department at 981-5900. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

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