Woman fined $1,500 after off-leash dog nearly confronts Banff grizzly

Brook Koski was sentenced in Canmore Court to a $1,500 penalty after acknowledging she let her dog run off-leash on a Banff National Park trail where a well-known female grizzly, Grizzly Bear 142, was present. A short TikTok video of the encounter, which amassed millions of views, showed her husband using bear spray and urging the bear to retreat while the dog ran between them. The couple, who appeared from Seattle, Washington, apologized in court, with Koski describing the lapse as a learning moment.

Crown attorney Caroline Lirette emphasized that leash laws exist to protect both visitors and wildlife, noting the bear showed no aggression and could have had cubs nearby. Parks Canada officials reiterated that dogs must remain leashed at all times in national parks and urged hikers to verify trail restrictions before heading out.