A woman was fined $1,500 in Canmore Court of Justice after admitting guilt for recording a viral video of her dog off-leash near a grizzly bear. Brook Koski faced charges for having her dog off-leash in Banff National Park. The video, played in court, depicted Koski’s husband, Kraig, with bear spray near the well-known Grizzly Bear 142, instructing the bear to back off. Despite the close encounter, the bear, daughter of Bear 122 aka The Boss, did not display aggression.
In court, Brook Koski tearfully apologized for her lapse in judgment, acknowledging the lesson learned from the incident. Isaak Hurst, Koski’s lawyer, emphasized that Koski was distressed during the encounter, highlighting the couple’s respect for Canadian nature and wildlife. He defended their actions, stating that the dog did not attack the bear, Koski’s husband remained composed, and the situation demonstrated how to handle a grizzly bear approach effectively.
Crown attorney Caroline Lirette described the encounter as terrifying and stressed the importance of keeping dogs on-leash to prevent negative bear encounters. Lirette emphasized the need for visitors to adhere to park rules, emphasizing the significance of co-existing with wildlife. Three witnesses reported the off-leash dog to park wardens on July 19, leading to the discovery of the TikTok video and the couple’s admission to the offense.
Justice Indra Maharaj highlighted the importance of outdoor access while emphasizing the unpredictability of animal reactions. Maharaj mentioned the possibility of the grizzly having cubs in the vicinity, underscoring the gravity of the situation. She emphasized that leash laws exist to ensure both hiker and animal safety, urging compliance with regulations.
Parks Canada mandates that dogs must be leashed at all times in national parks. In Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho national parks, dogs are generally permitted on trails and day-use areas unless otherwise specified. Giuliana Eljuri, a Banff field unit communications officer, advised visitors to check trail restrictions and consider leaving pets at home when engaging in park activities. She reminded the public that it is illegal to disturb wildlife, including allowing off-leash dogs to chase animals.