A woman who captured a widely shared video of her unleashed dog close to a grizzly bear was fined $1,500 after pleading guilty in Canmore Court of Justice on Wednesday. Brook Koski was charged for having her dog off-leash on a trail in Banff National Park.
The video, lasting about 90 seconds, depicted the encounter between Koski’s husband, Kraig, equipped with bear spray, and Grizzly Bear 142, a renowned female bear. The footage, which garnered millions of views on TikTok, showed Kraig shouting commands to the bear as it approached. Meanwhile, the couple’s off-leash dog ran between them as the grizzly bear continued along the trail without displaying any aggression.
During the court session, Brook Koski tearfully expressed regret for her lapse in judgment, acknowledging the lesson learned from the incident. Represented by Isaak Hurst, Koski emphasized their respect for Canadian wildlife and nature, noting the online backlash directed at her.
Hurst highlighted that the dog did not provoke the grizzly, commending Kraig’s composed demeanor during the encounter as a model response to a bear approaching. Crown attorney Caroline Lirette described the incident as “terrifying” and stressed the importance of leashing dogs to prevent negative bear encounters, emphasizing the need for visitors to adhere to park rules.
Three witnesses on the trail reported the off-leash dog to park wardens, leading to the identification of Koski through social media accounts. Justice Indra Maharaj emphasized the significance of protecting wildlife and outdoor values, cautioning about the unpredictable nature of animals.
Parks Canada mandates leash requirements for dogs in national parks to ensure safety for both visitors and wildlife. Giuliana Eljuri, a Banff field unit communications officer, advised dog owners to consider leaving their pets at home when engaging in outdoor activities to avoid disturbances to wildlife. It is illegal to feed, entice, or disrupt wildlife in national parks, including allowing off-leash dogs to chase wildlife.
Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior in wildlife habitats to foster coexistence between humans and animals.