A National Park is not a National Park

I was always of the assumption that the US and Canada were very similar. I now admit that where animal ownership is concerned, I was hopelessly wrong. During our stay in the Jasper National Park, Nera was allowed to be on all trails with us. The Canadian Parks Service expects the owner to be responsible. Period. Nera had the opportunity to be about five feet away from an Elk and was able to simply observe. However, once we arrived in Yellowstone, it was a very different world. No dogs allowed on the walkways, no dogs allowed to wait outside the stores, no dogs allowed on the wilderness trails etc. When I asked for an explanation I was told that dogs leave a scent, that not all people like dogs, that dogs can spread disease, that dogs could be attacked by a wild animal etc. I then explained that Canada doesn't seem to feel this way and the ranger was shocked. I then said the real problem was probably at the other end of the leash with irresponsible owners and the threat of a lawsuit should a pet be injured. This is a particularly irritating situation for me when one sees tons of tourists who disregard their own personal safety or the needs of wild animals when they are standing three feet from a 3'000 pound bison which can run 30 miles per hour. In the interest of getting a great photo they endanger not only themselves and their children not to mention the animal itself but dogs are the so-called problem. Really amazing.