Parks Canada has decided not to pursue legal action against Banff National Park superintendent Salman Rasheed following his admission of breaking federal regulations by allowing his dog to roam off-leash. The agency’s spokesperson, Jennifer Burnell, announced that the law enforcement investigation has been concluded, emphasizing that details of such investigations are generally not disclosed unless charges are laid through the provincial court system, which is not the case here.
When approached for an interview, Burnell declined to comment, and there was no immediate response from Parks Canada acting CEO Andrew Campbell and vice-president of operations Jewel Cunningham. Cunningham had previously stated that Parks Canada was reviewing the matter and would take appropriate action after it was referred to the law enforcement branch.
Both Rasheed and Parks Canada acknowledged the incident, with Rasheed attributing it to an “isolated lapse in judgment.” As the top official in Banff National Park, Rasheed is responsible for upholding federal laws within Parks Canada. The incident was first reported by the Rocky Mountain Outlook media outlet, showing 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 dog incident that resulted in a $1,500 fine. Parks Canada highlighted the importance of complying with park regulations to safeguard wildlife, pets, visitors, and the ecological balance of the park areas. The agency emphasized that rules should be applied uniformly to all individuals, including visitors and residents.
An internal administrative review was initiated by Parks Canada to address the matter through management channels, and the agency expressed satisfaction with how it was handled. The process was treated as a human resource issue, and no further comments were provided by Parks Canada on the matter.
Data revealed that from 2021 to 2026, the Banff field unit recorded 503 off-leash dog incidents, resulting in 314 warnings and 22 charges, while the Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay field unit reported 106 incidents, leading to 79 warnings and 27 charges. Off-leash dog incidents can result in fines of up to $25,000, as they are not classified as criminal offenses. Since July 29, 2026, 13 individuals have admitted guilt in Canmore Court of Justice for various violations of the Canada National Parks Act, with fines ranging from $150 to $3,000.