Black bear attacks, kills dog in Canada's Jasper National Park

The fatal mauling of a dog by a bear Saturday in Canada's Jasper National Park underscores the risk associated with bringing pets into the wilderness.

Parks Canada, which manages the country's national parks, confirmed Monday that a black bear attacked and killed one of two dogs being walked by visitors on the Wabasso Lake Trail. The bear had been located and destroyed on Sunday, Jasper National Park said in a statement.

"Two visitors were hiking with two dogs on the Wabasso Lake Trail," the park said in a Facebook post. "The hikers were returning to the trailhead with the dogs running freely between the hikers. They noticed a black bear had approached them within a very close proximity on the trail. One of the dogs chased the bear off the trail a short distance before the bear quickly reversed the chase.

"The bear came back within a couple feet of one of the hikers where the second dog was standing and barking. The bear attacked this dog. One hiker sprayed bear spray into the bear’s face at close range. The bear did not release the dog and the hiker then used the bear spray can to punch the bear in the head multiple times. The bear still did not release the dog and carried it into the woods.

"This close and aggressive approach by a large black bear is very concerning behaviour. The attack on the dog and subsequent caching of the carcass, indicates predatory behaviour. This behaviour is considered a threat to public safety and a risk to park visitors."

Parks Canada reopened several trails in the area, but the Wabasso Lake Trail remains closed.

"Destroying a bear is a last resort," Jasper National Park added in the statement. "Parks Canada considers hazing first and foremost to deter bears from highly visited areas, and then considers trapping and relocation. In this unusual and concerning encounter, the large 92 kg male bear, which had no identifying tags indicating previous interactions with Parks Canada personnel, displayed no fear or reaction to bear spray or punches. This non-typical behaviour indicates a highly habituated bear and increased the likelihood of further negative interactions."