The Danger of Hiking With Dogs in Bear Country Is Much Higher Than You Think
via Backpacker
Teton Pass Bear Attack Highlights a Startling Truth: Dogs Double Your Danger in Bear Country. Keeping dogs on a leash or leaving them at home can prevent aggressive wildlife run-ins in the park and surrounding woods.
A recent bear attack on the History Trail at Teton Pass has highlighted a new study showing that hiking with a dog more than doubles your risk of a bear conflict. While many people around Jackson bring pets for protection, researchers found that dogs initiated over half of the analyzed encounters and rarely provided an early warning. Keeping your dog on a leash is the best way to prevent them from antagonizing a bear and dragging the confrontation back to you.