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Parks Canada Charges Hikers After Viral Video Shows Grizzly Following Off‑Leash Dog

A social media clip enabled wardens to identify the people involved and press regulatory charges that highlight stricter enforcement of leash rules in national parks.

Image
Bear 142 is seen with her cubs at Banff National Park in an undated handout photo. The tagged female grizzly was involved in an encounter on Taylor Lake trail on Sunday with two hikers and their unleashed dog. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Parks Canada, Leah Pengelly (Mandatory Credit)
Bear 142 photographed with her two cubs in Banff National Park on May 13, 2026. A couple are facing charges by Parks Canada for having a dog off-leash and close to Bear 142.
Two hikers who, along with their off-leash dog, encountered a grizzly bear in Banff National Park in July 2026.

Overview

  • A video posted online showed a grizzly following two hikers and their off‑leash dog on Taylor Lake Trail on July 19, 2026 and captured the dog, called Lola, running and barking as the pair backed away.
  • Parks Canada wardens used the footage to identify the hikers, publicly named the animal as tagged female grizzly Bear 142, and laid charges for having an off‑leash dog under national parks regulations.
  • The charges fall under the National Parks of Canada Domestic Animal Regulations and can carry fines of up to $25,000 for breaches of the leash rule that limits dog leashes to three metres or less.
  • Parks Canada said off‑leash dogs can stress or provoke wildlife and urged visitors to carry bear spray, hike in groups, keep at least 100 metres from large predators, make noise on trails, and stay on marked routes.
  • The incident adds to a string of recent bear encounters in the Alberta Rockies, including a grizzly injury in Jasper and other viral encounters, and is likely to prompt closer enforcement and site restrictions this summer.