A woman who captured a popular video of her dog off-leash near a grizzly bear was fined $1,500 after admitting guilt in Canmore Court of Justice on Wednesday. Brook Koski faced charges related to having her dog off-leash on a trail in Banff National Park.
The viral video, lasting about 90 seconds, showcased the encounter, gaining millions of views on TikTok. It depicted Koski’s husband, Kraig, equipped with bear spray near Grizzly Bear 142, a renowned female bear, shouting warnings as the bear strolled along the trail. The couple’s off-leash dog ran between them as the bear moved into the woods, showing no signs of hostility.
In court, Brook Koski tearfully apologized for her error in judgment, acknowledging the lesson learned from the incident. Isaak Hurst, Koski’s attorney, mentioned her distress during the event, emphasizing their respect for Canadian wildlife and the backlash faced online.
The attorney highlighted that the dog did not provoke the bear, Koski’s husband remained composed, and the encounter demonstrated proper handling of a grizzly bear approach.
Prosecutor Caroline Lirette described the encounter as “terrifying” and stressed the importance of leashing dogs to prevent negative bear interactions. She emphasized the need for visitors to adhere to park rules, emphasizing the necessity to coexist with wildlife.
Three witnesses reported the off-leash dog to park authorities on July 19, leading to the discovery of the TikTok video and the couple’s admission of the off-leash violation.
Justice Indra Maharaj expressed appreciation for the outdoors and wildlife protection as Canadian values, underscoring the unpredictable nature of animals. Maharaj noted the potential risks of the situation, highlighting the significance of leash laws for safety.
Parks Canada regulations mandate dogs to be leashed in national parks, with exceptions in designated areas. Giuliana Eljuri from the Banff field unit advised visitors to check trail restrictions and consider leaving dogs at home to ensure wildlife and park safety. She emphasized the illegality of disturbing wildlife or allowing off-leash dogs to chase animals in national parks.
