Hikers charged after off-leash dog encounters grizzly bear in Banff

Parks Canada has laid charges against two hikers following a concerning encounter with a grizzly bear in Banff National Park. The incident, which occurred on the Taylor Lake trail on Sunday, July 19, involved the hikers and their off-leash dog. Video footage of the encounter shows one hiker backing away from the grizzly bear as it followed closely behind.

The footage, filmed by one of the hikers, shows her husband, Kraig Koski, a resident of Washington State, walking backward while facing the bear, with their dog, Lola, running between them and barking. "Back off!" Kraig is heard yelling in the video, while his wife urges, "You're too close!" The video concludes with the hikers still retreating from the grizzly as it eventually moved off the trail.

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Back off!

Parks Canada identified the bear as Bear 142, a tagged female grizzly. The regulatory charges laid under the Canada National Parks Act are specifically for the offense of having an off-leash dog in a national park. The agency stated that dogs can be perceived as threats by wildlife, potentially leading to aggressive reactions that could result in injury or death to the animal or the dog.

Furthermore, Parks Canada noted that off-leash dogs can cause stress to wildlife, leading them to avoid crucial habitats and food sources. The video of the encounter was posted to Instagram, which enabled Parks Canada wardens to identify the individuals involved.

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You're too close!