A fine of $1,500 was imposed on a woman who recorded a popular video of her dog near a grizzly bear without a leash. Brook Koski admitted guilt in Canmore Court of Justice. The charges were related to having her dog off-leash in Banff National Park. The viral 90-second video, showcased in court, gained millions of views on TikTok. It featured Koski’s husband, Kraig, carrying bear spray near Grizzly Bear 142, a famous female bear, instructing the bear to back off. The footage captured the off-leash dog passing by him and his wife as the grizzly strolled along the trail and retreated into the woods. The bear, identified as the offspring of The Boss, also known as Bear 122, displayed no signs of aggression.
In court, Brook Koski tearfully expressed regret for her error in judgment. She acknowledged the lesson learned from the incident. Representing Koski, her lawyer Isaak Hurst mentioned her distress during the encounter, emphasizing their respect for Canadian nature and wildlife. He highlighted the negative online responses directed at Koski. Hurst commended the calm behavior of Koski’s husband and emphasized the importance of handling such situations with grizzly bears.
Caroline Lirette, the Crown attorney, described the encounter as terrifying and stressed the significance of leashing dogs to prevent potential negative bear interactions. Lirette emphasized the responsibility of park visitors to adhere to regulations, labeling the incident as a lapse in judgment. Three individuals on the trail reported the off-leash dog to park wardens on July 19. The wardens traced the video on Koski’s TikTok and their Strava accounts, leading to a voluntary meeting where Koski admitted to having both dogs off-leash.
Justice Indra Maharaj highlighted the Canadian values of outdoor access, nature protection, and wildlife conservation. Maharaj acknowledged Koski’s sincere remorse but cautioned about the unpredictable reactions of animals, particularly in ensuring their survival. Maharaj noted the potential presence of bear cubs in the vicinity but expressed relief that no harm occurred. Maharaj emphasized the significance of leash laws for safety and animal protection.
Parks Canada enforces a leash mandate for dogs in national parks. In Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho national parks, dogs are generally permitted on trails and day-use areas unless specified otherwise by the federal agency. Giuliana Eljuri, a communications officer for the Banff field unit, advised individuals to leave their dogs at home when engaging in camping, hiking, or backcountry activities. She encouraged checking for trail restrictions before park visits, emphasizing the legal implications of disturbing wildlife or allowing off-leash dogs to chase animals.