It's International Dog Day today (Aug. 26), but can you bring your four-legged friend on an adventure to a National Park?
Dogs are allowed to accompany their owners in National Parks, but they must remain on leash.
In order to help keep wildlife safe, protect sensitive habitats, and ensure everyone has a positive experience, dogs must be on leash at all times in National Parks.
Not only that, but keeping dogs on leash will help to protect the dog and the public as well.
Wildlife can be unpredictable, and an off-leash dog can trigger aggressive behaviour from animals like bears, wolves, and coyotes.
Predators may see an off-leash dog running free as competition or prey, which could lead the predator to either attack the dog or follow the dog back to its owners.
On top of keeping dogs on leashes that are 3 metres in length or shorter at all times, as it is the law, always pick up and dispose of dog waste in a garbage bin.
If you are not willing to leave the dog on a leash at all times, Parks Canada asks people to leave their dog at home.
The same goes for those who plan to camp or hike into the backcountry.
Admission to a participating National Park in Canada is free until Sept. 2.
To learn more, head over to the Parks Canada website.