A woman received a $1,500 fine after admitting guilt in a Canmore court for filming her unleashed dog near a grizzly bear. Brook Koski faced charges related to having her dog off-leash in Banff National Park. The incident was captured in a 90-second video that went viral on TikTok, showing Koski’s husband, Kraig, holding bear spray near Grizzly Bear 142. The footage, played in court, attracted millions of views and depicted the couple yelling warnings at the bear.
During the court session, Brook Koski tearfully expressed regret for her actions, acknowledging her “lapse in judgment.” Her lawyer, Isaak Hurst, emphasized that the encounter was their first time facing such a situation and that they aimed to respect Canadian wildlife. Hurst highlighted the online backlash against Koski and defended their actions, stating that the dog did not provoke the bear, and Kraig handled the situation calmly.
Crown attorney Caroline Lirette described the encounter as “terrifying” and stressed the importance of leash laws to prevent negative interactions with bears. Lirette mentioned that three witnesses on the trail reported the off-leash dog, leading to the couple’s identification through social media accounts. Justice Indra Maharaj emphasized the need to coexist with wildlife and stressed the unpredictability of animals’ reactions, especially in situations like the one involving the grizzly bear.
Parks Canada requires dogs to be leashed at all times in national parks. Giuliana Eljuri, a Banff field unit communications officer, advised visitors to respect park rules, check for trail restrictions, and avoid disturbing wildlife. Eljuri warned against allowing off-leash dogs to chase wildlife, emphasizing the significance of individual actions in preserving the natural environment.