A provincial conservation officer is reminding residents to not let their dogs go off-leash in Lois Hole Provincial Park, after a dog bit a park visitor last month.

Chad Stevens, a conservation officer at Alberta Environment and Parks, said he is reminding residents to keep their dogs on a leash following the December incident. Stevens said the bite didn’t break the skin and the victim didn’t need medical attention, but he wants to remind those planning on being in the park to keep their dogs leashed at all times.

The conservation officer said many dog owners don’t think their pet will be aggressive when approaching others, but dogs have a pack mentality and their owners are part of their pack.

“There might be situations where a dog might be a little bit more protective of its owner or if the owner is walking with the family and they have young children it might be more protective,” Stevens said.

Some dog owners might be surprised at how their dogs behave in certain situations.

On top of keeping people safe in the park, Stevens said it’s important to keep dogs leashed to protect the natural flora and fauna in the provincial park.

Off-leash dogs may disturb the animal communities that live there, Stevens noted, adding deer make themselves at home and raise fawns in the park.

The park is also known to be home to moose and bears, which can cause conflict with any dogs running around the park. Porcupines, skunks and coyotes may also run into a dog and the dog could suffer a serious injury.

Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park is also a designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), which is an internationally recognized area of significance for the conservation of birds and other biodiversity.

Stevens said the park is a very special place.

“It's an important bird nesting area. It's an important stopover for migratory birds of many different species,” he said.

“That's just not a compatible activity to have off-leash dogs running through that kind of area.”

Many birds lay their eggs on the ground in the park, which dogs can disturb.

Stevens said dogs are welcome in the park and other provincial parks but must be kept under control at all times. Dogs and pets must be on a leash no more than two meters in length and must not endanger or disturb any other wildlife or people in the park. Owners must pick up after their pups and there are two dog waste bag dispensers on either side of the parking lot.

As a result of the December 2019 incident, Stevens said conservation officers will be increasing their presence in the park to make sure dogs and their owners are following the proper rules.

If you have any questions or a complaint about a dog while visiting the park, please report it to the park district office at 780-960-8170.