YELLOWKNIFE - A corgi named Indy is missing and presumed dead after a skirmish with a bear on the Cameron Falls Trail and his owner says there is a lesson in that for other dog owners.

Lynn Carter with Indy, at the St. John's Ambulance dog therapy program. - NNSL file photo

"People need to leash their dogs and take care of them. And to be prepared," says Lynn Carter.

Two of Carter's friends, who regularly went for walks with Indy, took the dog on an outing Saturday to Cameron Falls.

The bear burst on the scene in the early afternoon, near the public bathrooms, approximately 20 feet from the Cameron Falls parking lot, said Carter.

Indy, who was not on a leash, became embroiled in a skirmish with the bear while Carter's friends retreated to safety.

"There were other people on the trail. Just before my friends there was a family of six on the trail," said Carter.

"I think (my friends) were very lucky that it was him and not them."

The NWT SPCA sent out an e-mail asking people who have been in the Cameron Falls area to contact them if they see a lone dog.

Carter doubts that Indy will be found.

"I've haven't gotten any calls yet. I'm not sure that I will."

Janet Pacey, president of the NWT SPCA, noted that bears are just coming out of hibernation.

"They're hungry and grumpy this time of year," she wrote in the e-mail. "Please warn your friends to stay out of the area."

North Slave Senior Wildlife Officer Raymond Bourget wasn't surprised by the incident, which was not reported to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

"People must expect the possibility of encountering a bear," he said. "They're most likely to avoid people, but dogs are not far removed from wolves, and bears fight with wolves."

Bourget said these things often happen because the dogs are not leashed, which he said is law in territorial parks.

Bourget added that any bear sightings or incidents should be reported to the department.