A woman was fined $1,500 in Canmore Court of Justice for filming a video of her off-leash dog near a grizzly bear. Brook Koski pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident in Banff National Park. The video, viewed by millions on TikTok, showed Koski’s husband, Kraig, with bear spray confronting Grizzly Bear 142, while the off-leash dog ran between them. The encounter, featuring the well-known female bear, was captured on camera as the bear showed no signs of aggression.
During the court hearing, Brook Koski tearfully apologized for her actions, acknowledging a “lapse in judgment.” Her lawyer, Isaak Hurst, emphasized that it was their first time in court and that they aimed to respect Canadian nature and wildlife. Despite facing online criticism, Hurst praised the calm demeanor of Koski’s husband and highlighted the incident as a demonstration of handling a grizzly bear encounter effectively.
Crown attorney Caroline Lirette described the encounter as “terrifying” and stressed the importance of keeping dogs on-leash to prevent negative bear interactions. Lirette mentioned that three witnesses reported the off-leash dog on the trail, leading to the discovery of the video on TikTok and the couple’s Strava accounts.
Justice Indra Maharaj emphasized the need to coexist with wildlife and expressed gratitude for the lack of a harmful outcome. Maharaj underscored the significance of following leash laws to ensure the safety of both visitors and animals in national parks.
Parks Canada requires dogs to be leashed at all times in national parks. Giuliana Eljuri, a communications officer, advised visitors to adhere to trail restrictions and refrain from disturbing wildlife, including allowing off-leash dogs to chase animals. She emphasized the importance of responsible actions in preserving the natural environment and wildlife within national parks.
