Parks Canada has decided not to pursue legal action against Banff National Park superintendent Salman Rasheed despite his admission of breaking federal regulations by allowing his dog to be off-leash. According to Parks Canada spokesperson Jennifer Burnell, the law enforcement investigation has been completed, and no further details will be disclosed as charges were not filed through the provincial court system.
When asked for an interview, Burnell, Rasheed, Parks Canada acting CEO Andrew Campbell, and vice-president Jewel Cunningham did not immediately respond. Cunningham had previously mentioned that Parks Canada was examining the situation and would take appropriate action following the referral to the law enforcement branch.
Both Rasheed and Parks Canada acknowledged the incident, with Rasheed describing it as an “isolated lapse in judgment.” The incident was brought to light by a local media outlet, Rocky Mountain Outlook, which reported Rasheed walking his dog Max off-leash on the Tunnel Mountain trail in Banff.
Having dogs off-leash in Canadian national parks is illegal, and Rasheed’s case occurred shortly after a notable off-leash incident resulted in a $1,500 fine. The importance of adhering to national park regulations to protect wildlife, pets, visitors, and ecological integrity was emphasized by Burnell, who stated that visitors and residents expect these rules to be enforced consistently.
An internal administrative review initiated by Parks Canada through management channels was deemed satisfactory in addressing the matter. The agency refrained from commenting further, considering it a human resource issue. Off-leash dog incidents in the Banff field unit from 2021-2026 led to 503 reported cases, resulting in 314 warnings and 22 charges, while the Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay field unit had 106 incidents with 79 warnings and 27 charges.
Although off-leash dog incidents do not lead to criminal charges, fines of up to $25,000 can be imposed. Since July 29, 2026, 13 individuals have admitted guilt in the Canmore Court of Justice for various violations under the Canada National Parks Act, such as flying drones and camping without permits, with fines ranging from $150 to $3,000.