A woman in Canmore Court of Justice was fined $1,500 for recording a video of her dog near a grizzly bear without a leash. Brook Koski, who faced charges related to the incident in Banff National Park, expressed regret for her actions and acknowledged her mistake in court.

The video, which went viral on TikTok, showed Koski’s husband carrying bear spray and verbally warning the bear to stay away as the off-leash dog ran between them. The grizzly bear, identified as Grizzly Bear 142, displayed no signs of aggression and eventually moved away into the woods.

Koski, accompanied by her lawyer Isaak Hurst, participated in the court hearing online from Seattle, Washington. Hurst emphasized that the encounter was handled calmly, with no harm caused by the off-leash dog. He also highlighted the importance of respecting wildlife and nature in Canada.

The Crown attorney, Caroline Lirette, described the incident as frightening and stressed the need for dogs to be leashed in national parks to prevent potential conflicts with bears. Lirette mentioned that three individuals on the trail reported the off-leash dog to park authorities, leading to the charges against Koski.

Justice Indra Maharaj commended Koski for showing remorse but reminded that animals, including bears, can behave unpredictably to protect themselves. Maharaj emphasized the significance of following leash laws to ensure the safety of both visitors and wildlife in national parks.

Parks Canada requires dogs to be leashed at all times in national parks, including popular trails and day-use areas in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho. Giuliana Eljuri, a Banff field unit communications officer, advised visitors to check for trail restrictions and refrain from allowing off-leash dogs to disturb wildlife, emphasizing the importance of responsible actions in protected areas.