After hiking about 800 km (500 mi) in the mountains along the Mediterranean this winter, we returned to our home in the Canadian Rockies on April Fools’ Day. We were just in time to meet a fool.
Our first hike was in the Spray Valley, beside the canal that diverts water from Spray Reservoir to our town of Canmore. About 45 minutes along, we witnessed a startling sight: a moose charging us at full speed.
Hiking four months in Europe, we saw only three docile deer. So it was exhilarating to be back home where wildlife is still prolific. But moose are huge, can be dangerous, and it was alarming to see how fast this moose was approaching us.
Our concern redlined when we saw the reason the moose was galloping. It was being pursued by… a coyote? It was still too distant for us to know for sure, but it was definitely a canine.
We were uncertain how to prevent a moose from trampling us at 50 kph (30 mph), but we know a vicious coyote can attack people. A coyote determined to dine on moose flesh certainly qualifies as vicious, so we pulled out our bear-spray canisters—what else to do?
Just before the animals got close enough to elicit an adrenaline rush, the moose veered away, uphill, into the forest, and the coyote followed. We thought that was the end of it until, seconds later, they were upon us, just 30 m (100 ft) away. They too were startled, however, and paused.
That’s when we saw it wasn’t a coyote. It was too big. “A wolf?” we wondered for an instant. But no, it was wearing a collar. It was a dog. A husky. Someone’s pet.
Then they were off again. The terrified moose dove into the canal and swam across. The dog jumped in behind him. Both climbed the other bank and sprinted out of sight.
We resumed our hike, wondering why dog owners continue to be so ignorant. Or is it obstinate?
The inflexible fact is that you should never unleash your dog in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
• Off-leash dogs terrorize wildlife. The moose that fled past us was distressed. It wasted precious energy that it needed simply to find food and survive.
• Off-leash dogs might be maimed or killed. Had this moose turned on it, the dog would have been stomped to death.
• Off-leash dogs are a danger to their owners. Had this dog encountered a grizzly bear, the pursuit would have been reversed. The bear would either have mauled the dog, or chased it back to its owner and inflicted its fury on both of them.
• Off-leash dogs are a threat to anyone in the vicinity. It’s conceivable this fleeing moose would have trampled us. Had it been a bear, it might have attacked us.
Later on our hike, we encountered the dog’s owner. “Have you seen my husky?” she called. She cringed at our response. We were calm and polite, but we were firm.
What we didn’t say is that she was a fool.
If you’re a dog owner, please—for your safety, your dog’s safety, the safety of wildlife, and the safety of the rest of us who might be out there—please keep your dog on a leash in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
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What? No pictures?! Bah!
Posted by Dan on April 6th, 2010.
You try handling and focusing your camera when a bull moose is bearing down on you like a freight train.
Posted by hikingcamping on April 6th, 2010.
There are times I let my dog run free in a National Park and risk a fine for my foolishness. Motor vehicles are the leading cause of wildlife death, not domestic dogs: http://www.pc.gc.ca/canada/pn-tfn/itm2-/2004/2004-09-06_e.asp That is where I think we should be directing our efforts.
Posted by Rick Vigrass on March 21st, 2011.
It’s not just the wildlife. I have a medium sized dog we take hiking that we always keep on a leash. There have been numerous times where another has run up ahead of it’s owner and has challenged my dog, as well as my family. Several times I’ve had the bear spray out ready to shoot just as the owner has arrived. Of course their dog has “never” exhibited that behaviour before. It’s ignorant and shows a lack of respect to the wild animals and other hikers. Perhaps motor vehicles do kill more animals, but they don’t harras them and chase them from their natural habit etc. How many die from that? — Brian
Posted by Brian on November 16th, 2011.
Amen, Brian. Thanks for writing. — Craig
Posted by hikingcamping on November 17th, 2011.
It’s natural for moose to be chased? Did you grow up in a city? Dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes…. All canines, all naturally hunt and kill their prey, moose being part of their pray. If it wasn’t a dog chasing it, it would have been coyotes, or a wolf…. Suddenly because it was someones pet it’s a big deal?
Posted by Brandon on March 27th, 2012.
Hi Brandon… Yes, because it was someone’s pet it was a big deal. First, because pets off leash are prohibited–against the law–where this happened. Second, because it was unnatural and unnecessary.
Sure, predator chasing prey happens often enough, but it’s part of the normal cycle of life in the wilderness. This wasn’t predator/prey. A dog chasing a moose is something else.
The dog, had it cornered the moose, was not going to feed on it. It was chasing mindlessly. It was chasing for sport. The dog was just being a dog. But the act was malicious and easily prevented.
What if, instead of an off-leash dog, it had been a person on a motorcycle chasing that moose? Would you say that, too, was natural? I don’t see much difference. Either way, someone’s being irresponsible.
As a result of that chase, the moose might not have had the energy to flee a genuine predator had one appeared shortly after. Which means the moose would have died because a dog chased it.
You really believe it was okay for that dog owner to let her pet off leash? If so, we disagree. But I appreciate you visiting our website, reading our blog, and taking time to think about the content and comment on it. — Craig
Posted by hikingcamping on March 27th, 2012.
Dogs are animals…. Dirt bikes are not. For all that moose knew, it was a wolf he was running from. It’s not a big deal. And yes if by some miracle the dog did catch, and kill that moose, it would have enjoyed a nice feast before its owner got there. Dogs are just tamed wolves…. You are over reacting…. Lol and you obviously don’t know much about wild animals. I’ve seen moose swim over 60km, no single dog can chase down a moose or make it to tired to keep running. And even it did get caught and eaten, that’s life.
Posted by Brandon on March 27th, 2012.
And I believe dogs should NEVER be on a leash. Mine is well trained, and doesn’t need one. No ones safety is at risk if a dog is off its leash, have some respect for mans best friend.
Posted by Brandon on March 27th, 2012.
It’s difficult to have a logical discussion with a dog lover. Emotion tends to cloud their ability to objectively assess dog behaviour. Brandon, it’s a fact — whether you acknowledge it or not — that untrained dogs are often a nuisance, and unleashed, untrained dogs are often a danger. I resented that dog chasing that moose. Maybe I was wrong to feel that way. Maybe I don’t, as you say, know much about wild animals. But I believe I know enough. And I stand by my opinion. And I respect you for articulating an interesting point of view, even if I disagree with it. Thanks.
Posted by hikingcamping on March 27th, 2012.
That woman who turned her dog loose was being negligent and not thinking. Hopefully your words will stay with her and prevent this or something worse from happening in the future.
I am an avid dog lover. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my doggie boys. Because of that it is my ultimate responsibility to keep my dogs safe. To do that, I keep my dogs leashed. They still enjoy themselves endlessly on hikes. Yet are safely by my side and constantly supervised to make sure that not only are they safe but that are not destroying the beautiful nature that we go out to enjoy. It’s not just large animals but delicate flora and fauna we need to preserve as well.
I know some will say that dogs are meant to run free. There are designated places for that, your fenced yard, a dog park, etc. But a national park or in the wilderness is not one of them. Just their 4 happy paws off the trail can do incredible damage to alpine meadows, small animal habitat, even the purity of water sources in the area. It is a pet owner’s responsibilty to make sure our pets behave respectful when we have them out.
Dogs do have an instinct to chase and run. But again, there is a time and a place and it isn’t where they can cause inadvertant damage to the environment. Babies naturally put small items in their mouths, but as a responsible parent – you stop them and take measures to make sure they do not have that opportunity to do so. So as a responsible pet owner, it is also your duty to make sure your pets are safe.
Some will argue that their dog is so well trained and behaved. That may be well and true. But that is a dog’s behavior conditioned to human expectation. All of that goes out the window when your dog’s natural instinct to chase or flee kicks in. Instinct will win out over conditioning in such situations. A dog isn’t going to sit down for a moment a ponder the situation – they simply react. I’m sure at home your pet will sit, stay, and fetch your slippers – mine do. The stimulation around them is controlled but my kisses and dog treats are no comparison to exciting new smells in the wilds! But also be mindful of your pet is still an animal; and animals, any animal, can be unpredictable.
How can you be a responsibile pet owner if you do not know where your dogs are or what they are doing at all times? Not only for their own safety but for those they encounter. Some think it isn’t a big deal if your dog chases an animal. What if they inadvertantly startle someone who is afraid of dogs and that person feels they need to defend themselves regardless if the threat is real or simply perceived? You’d want to be there with your pet to assure that person that your pet is behaved, friendly, and of no threat to them, and under YOUR control at that moment.
What if it was turned around? I know it is dark to say but there are terrible people in this world that would hurt an animal if given the opportunity. Watch your local news and there is always an example of this. Don’t give them the opportunity to prey upon your beloved pet!
I just ask that you think first. Do what is best for your pet. I would protect my dogs with all the raging fury of a grizzly mama no doubt. But I also take measures to make sure that they aren’t even put in a situation where I’d have to do that. I am a huge pet lover and an active outdoor enthusiast – trust me, you can have a happy medium between both worlds.
Be safe!
Posted by HoneyDogsMama on September 28th, 2012.