Banff National Park’s superintendent has acknowledged walking his dog off-leash, which is against the Canada National Parks Act, as a “singular lapse in judgment.” The incident was first brought to light by the Rocky Mountain Outlook on Oct. 8 with photographic evidence showing Sal Rasheed walking his dog Max off-leash on the Tunnel Mountain trail in Banff.
Rasheed confirmed the incident to CBC News, emphasizing that his dedication to Parks Canada’s mission remains steadfast and that it has underscored the importance of setting a good example. Despite the mishap, Rasheed, who has held the superintendent position at Canada’s primary national park since 2022 and served as acting executive director of Alberta’s national parks since the previous year, expressed his ongoing commitment to supporting the agency’s endeavors in safeguarding wildlife, visitors, and the ecological balance of national parks.
In response to the situation, Jennifer Burnell from Parks Canada’s national communications team stated that the agency was aware of the off-leash dog incident involving Rasheed. Parks Canada expects all individuals to adhere to the regulations, and an internal review was conducted following the report. Burnell mentioned that Parks Canada is content with how the matter was handled, although specific actions taken, if any, were not disclosed publicly.
While no charges had been filed as of Oct. 8, Burnell emphasized that individuals breaking the rules could face fines of up to $25,000. She highlighted that Parks Canada promotes adherence to park regulations through education, awareness, and enforcement when necessary. Despite occasional lapses in judgment, Burnell reiterated Parks Canada’s unwavering dedication to preserving places like Banff National Park for future generations.
Despite inquiries from CBC News, the acting CEO and vice-president of Parks Canada, the external relations manager of the Banff field unit, and the federal Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature did not provide any responses.
Additional discussions regarding enhanced dog restrictions in Banff National Park have been ongoing for some time. An internal report obtained by CBC News recommended such restrictions after a tragic incident in which two hikers and their dog were fatally attacked by a grizzly bear in the Red Deer Valley in 2023. The report emphasized the importance of reevaluating dog-related policies and regulations due to the recognized risk posed by dogs in bear-human interactions.
The report also highlighted the need for better compliance with leash regulations and forewarned about the foreseeable risks of increased visitation to the park leading to negative encounters between dogs and wildlife. While no immediate changes were made based on the report, it drew attention to the examples set by Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier national parks in the U.S., which prohibit dogs on hiking trails and in the backcountry.
