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January 08, 2022 - 11:07 AM
Free roaming horses in the South Okanagan continue to cause problems and the Penticton Indian Band is hoping to address the issue by creating a new bylaw.
The horses are owned by some members of the Penticton Indian Band. The PIB issued a release clarifying that the horses are owned by individual band members and not the band itself, as it was reported in the media that the PIB owns the free roaming horses.
Administrators deal with complaints from other members of the band, the release said, as the animals have been a contentious and frustrating topic for many years as they damage properties and pose a safety risk along roadways.
The PIB is encouraging owners of the horses to be responsible however some factors are beyond the administrators' control. Cattle guards are unable to contain animals when they are heavily packed with snow, fences are often cut open by off-road rider trespassers, and there have been reports of horses released into the local wilderness by non-band members.
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The PIB is focused on the safety of all people and horses, the release said, but administrators do not want to be held responsible for animals owned by other members of the community.
Council is currently drafting a bylaw for animal control and range use, which will “hopefully” be in place early this year, according to the press release.
“In the meantime we will continue to reach out and contact the owners when calls or complaints are received,” the PIB said.
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