Charges laid against hikers with off-leash dog after grizzly encounter in Banff

Jul 24, 2026 | 1:05 PM

Parks Canada says charges have been laid against two hikers who, along with their off-leash dog, encountered a grizzly bear in Banff National Park.

Video of the encounter on Taylor Lake trail was posted to Instagram, and Parks Canada wardens were able to identify the people involved.

The regulatory charges under the Canada National Parks Act are for having an off-leash dog in a national park.

Parks Canada says bears and other wildlife may react aggressively toward dogs they view as threats, resulting in injury or death.

The agency says the encounter happened Sunday, but it didn’t say where the people charged are from.

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It says the bear in the video has been identified as Bear 142, a tagged female grizzly.

“Off-leash dogs can also cause wildlife stress, leading to them avoiding important habitat and sources of food,” Parks Canada said in a statement. “Always keep your pets on leash when visiting national parks.”

The video of the encounter shows two people, one visible on camera and one recording, backing up along a trail as the grizzly follows closely.

A man in the video is heard yelling, “Back off!” The person shooting the footage yells, “You’re too close!”

The dog, called Lola, runs back and forth between the two people, at times barking at the bear.

The video ends with the hikers still backing away from the grizzly as it runs away off the trail.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2026.

By Daniela Germano in Edmonton (The Canadian Press)

by Daniela Germano, The Canadian Press

Charges laid against hikers with off-leash dog after grizzly encounter in Banff

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