Washington Hikers Charged After Unleashed Dog Confronts Grizzly Bear in Banff National Park

Brook and Kraig Koski of Washington state are facing regulatory charges under the Canada National Parks Act after their unleashed dog confronted a grizzly bear on the Taylor Lake trail in Banff National Park, located approximately nine miles southeast of Lake Louise. Parks Canada wardens identified the couple following the circulation of a video documenting the encounter, which accumulated millions of views online.

The incident occurred when Kraig encountered Bear 142, a female grizzly, while jogging ahead on the trail. As he backed away from the animal while holding bear spray, his small dog named Lola ran freely between the hikers and the bear, barking repeatedly. Throughout the roughly 90-second encounter, the couple called for Lola but did not leash or pick up the dog despite having multiple opportunities to do so, according to the recorded footage.

The Koskis face potential fines of up to $25,000 if convicted of violating national park regulations requiring dogs to be secured on leashes no longer than three meters. Parks Canada spokesperson James Eastham stated that unleashed dogs pose significant risks to both pets and wildlife, as bears may respond aggressively to animals they perceive as threats.

Bear 142, estimated at approximately 16 years old, is the daughter of a well-known grizzly known as “The Boss.” The threatened species has successfully raised multiple cubs in the park, though one offspring was struck and killed by a train earlier this year. The encounter ended without injuries to any party involved.