A woman who recorded a widely-shared video of her dog off-leash near a grizzly bear received a $1,500 fine after pleading guilty in Canmore Court of Justice. Brook Koski was charged for having her dog off-leash in Banff National Park. The footage, which lasted about 90 seconds and was played in court, went viral on TikTok, showing Koski’s husband Kraig carrying bear spray near Grizzly Bear 142, a famous female bear, while shouting warnings. The video depicted their off-leash dog running between them as the bear peacefully moved away into the woods. The bear, known as the daughter of Bear 122, or The Boss, did not display any signs of aggression.
During the court session, Brook Koski tearfully apologized for her error in judgment, acknowledging the lesson learned from the incident. Isaak Hurst, Koski’s lawyer, mentioned that Koski was distressed during the encounter, highlighting that it was her first time facing legal proceedings and emphasizing their respect for Canadian wildlife. Hurst defended their actions, stating that the dog did not harm the bear, Kraig remained composed, and the situation demonstrated the appropriate way to handle an encounter with a grizzly bear.
Crown attorney Caroline Lirette described the incident as frightening, emphasizing the importance of keeping dogs on-leash to prevent negative interactions with bears. Lirette stressed the need for park visitors to adhere to regulations, characterizing the situation as a lapse in judgment. She mentioned that three individuals on the trail reported the off-leash dog to park wardens on July 19, leading to the identification of Koski through her TikTok video and Strava accounts.
Justice Indra Maharaj acknowledged Koski’s genuine remorse but cautioned that animals, particularly bears, can react unpredictably to ensure their safety. Maharaj highlighted the significance of following leash laws to safeguard both hikers and wildlife. Parks Canada enforces leash requirements in national parks, including Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho, with exceptions based on federal guidelines.
Giuliana Eljuri, a communications officer for the Banff field unit, advised visitors to leave their dogs at home when engaging in outdoor activities to prevent conflicts with wildlife. Eljuri emphasized the impact of individual actions, reminding the public that feeding or disturbing wildlife, including allowing off-leash dogs to chase animals, is illegal in national parks. It is crucial for visitors to check for trail restrictions before entering national parks to ensure compliance with park regulations.