In Canmore Court of Justice, a woman was fined $1,500 after admitting guilt for recording a video of her dog off-leash near a grizzly bear, as reported on Wednesday. Brook Koski faced charges related to the incident in Banff National Park where her dog was off-leash on a trail.
The viral video, lasting about 90 seconds, captured the moment when Koski’s husband, Kraig, stood close to Grizzly Bear 142, known as a famous female bear. The footage, widely viewed after being shared on TikTok, showed Kraig with bear spray, instructing the bear to back off while the off-leash dog ran between him and Brook, who was filming. The grizzly bear displayed no signs of aggression as it walked along the trail and eventually moved into the woods. Notably, the bear is the offspring of Bear 122, famously known as The Boss in Alberta.
During the court proceedings, Brook Koski expressed tearful remorse for her lapse in judgment, acknowledging the lessons learned from the incident. Representing Koski, her lawyer Isaak Hurst mentioned her distress during the encounter, emphasizing their respect for Canadian nature and wildlife. Hurst also highlighted the absence of any aggressive behavior from the dog towards the grizzly, praising Kraig’s composed reaction as a commendable example of dealing with such a situation.
Caroline Lirette, the Crown attorney, 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 national park rules, labeling the incident as a judgmental error that required a better understanding of coexisting with wildlife.
Reporting the off-leash dog to park wardens on July 19, three individuals on the trail prompted action from Banff authorities. The wardens identified the video on Koski’s TikTok and Strava accounts, leading to a voluntary meeting where Koski admitted to having both dogs off-leash during the hike.
Justice Indra Maharaj underscored the significance of outdoor access and wildlife protection as fundamental Canadian values. While acknowledging Koski’s genuine regret, Maharaj highlighted the unpredictable nature of animals and the need to prioritize their survival. Maharaj also noted the potential risks involved, particularly if the grizzly bear had cubs nearby, emphasizing the importance of following leash laws for safety.
Parks Canada enforces the leash mandate for dogs in national parks, permitting dogs on most trails and day-use areas in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho. Giuliana Eljuri, a communication officer, advised individuals to consider leaving their dogs at home when engaging in camping, hiking, or backcountry activities. Eljuri urged visitors to check for trail restrictions before entering national parks, emphasizing the legal prohibition against disturbing wildlife, including allowing off-leash dogs to pursue wild animals.