The viral July 21 video shows hikers Brook and Kraig Koski and their off‑leash dog Lola in a close encounter with Grizz No. 142 on Banff’s Taylor Lake Trail. Parks Canada investigated after the clip spread online and charged the pair under Domestic Animal Regulations; leash violations in Banff can carry fines up to $25,000. No injuries were reported, but experts warn loose dogs can provoke dangerous wildlife responses and may lead to euthanasia of animals. Authorities urge visitors to always keep pets on leash to protect people and wildlife.
Viral Banff Grizzly Encounter Could Cost Hikers Up To $25,000 Over Off‑Leash Dog
Photo Credit: Storyful
A viral video from July 21 captured a tense encounter on Banff National Park's Taylor Lake Trail when a well‑known grizzly, Grizz No. 142, approached Washington hikers Brook and Kraig Koski and their small dog, Lola. The clip, which runs nearly two minutes, shows the bear moving toward the group while the dog remains off leash — a detail that prompted a Parks Canada investigation.
What Happened
As the bear advanced, Kraig backed away holding bear spray while Brook called, "Lola, come here!" and said, "What are we going to do? We have to get off the trail. He wants the trail." At no point in the footage was Lola secured on a leash. No one was injured.
Investigation and Possible Penalties
Parks Canada wardens reviewed the video after it circulated online, identified the hikers and laid charges under section five of the National Parks of Canada Domestic Animal Regulations for having an off‑leash dog. In Banff National Park pets must be kept on a leash no longer than nine feet; violations can carry fines up to $25,000.
Why Leash Rules Matter
The Taylor Lake area is near Lake Louise, one of Canada’s busiest tourist destinations, which draws nearly 3 million visitors a year. That heavy human use overlaps prime grizzly habitat: the region is home to roughly 20 grizzlies, about one‑third of Banff’s grizzly population. Loose dogs can stress wildlife, provoke defensive or aggressive behavior, and increase the chances that animals are injured or euthanized.
Parks Canada: "Bears and other wildlife may react aggressively toward dogs they view as threats, resulting in their injury or death. Always keep your pets on leash when visiting national parks."
Nick de Ruyter, WildSmart program director: "The safety of them, their pets, and other people is far more important than getting that video. There was so much time in the video to grab the dog and put it on a leash. There are consequences to those actions, and it will affect the wildlife."
This episode serves as a reminder that simple precautions — keeping pets leashed, carrying bear spray, and knowing how to respond to wildlife encounters — protect people, pets and native species. Parks Canada and wildlife experts stress that following leash regulations is essential to reducing conflicts and costly penalties.
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