Published Aug. 15, 2023 2:14 p.m. ET
A black bear is seen in an undated file image.
Two hikers deal with prospective fines after a bear in Jasper National park killed their off-leash dog in the spring.
A black bear assaulted the family pet on Wabasso Lake Trail on April 22.
The bear was destroyed due to the risk to public safety and the safety of park visitors, Parks Canada informed CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.
The hikers were charged in May with 2 counts of breaching Section 5 of the National Parks of Canada Domestic Animals Regulations: unlawfully stopping working to have a domestic animal under physical control and unlawfully enabling a domestic animal to chase after wildlife.
They should appear in court in October and might be purchased to pay up to $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act.
On all Parks Canada residential or commercial properties, dogs should be on a leash no longer than 3 metres.
“Wildlife are unforeseeable; an off-leash dog can activate aggressive behaviour from predators like bears, wolves or coyotes. Predators see free-running, off-leash dogs as competitors or victim, and might either assault the dog, or follow the dog back to its owners or other individuals.
“After repeat experiences with off-leash dogs, wildlife can lose their natural wariness of people and end up being a public safety threat,” Parks Canada said in a declaration.
The bear was destroyed due to the risk to public safety and the safety of park visitors, Parks Canada informed CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.
The hikers were charged in May with 2 counts of breaching Section 5 of the National Parks of Canada Domestic Animals Regulations: unlawfully stopping working to have a domestic animal under physical control and unlawfully enabling a domestic animal to chase after wildlife.
They should appear in court in October and might be purchased to pay up to $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act.
On all Parks Canada residential or commercial properties, dogs should be on a leash no longer than 3 metres.
"Wildlife are unforeseeable; an off-leash dog can activate aggressive behaviour from predators like bears, wolves or coyotes. Predators see free-running, off-leash dogs as competitors or victim, and might either assault the dog, or follow the dog back to its owners or other individuals.
"After repeat experiences with off-leash dogs, wildlife can lose their natural wariness of people and end up being a public safety threat," Parks Canada said in a declaration.
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