Pemberton RCMP helped return about 20 horses to Mount Currie this week after the longstanding problem of roaming horses resurfaced last Wednesday (Feb. 17). That night, one driver was injured and two horses killed after two vehicles were involved in crashes with horses on Highway 99.

An officer with the Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police came upon the incident near the Pemberton Festival grounds at around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 17, Sgt. Eric Rochette of Pemberton RCMP said in a news release. First, a southbound vehicle struck a horse, causing major damage, non-life threatening injuries to the driver, and resulting in the horse’s death.

A northbound vehicle was attempting to turn around to help with the first incident, when it was struck by a running horse, Rochette said. The vehicle’s four occupants weren’t injured, but the horse was euthanized by police at the scene, he said.

The horses, and others that have been roaming in the fields where the Pemberton Festival was held, belong to two or three people in Mount Currie, Rochette told the Question on Monday (Feb. 22). He declined to provide the names of the owners and said the incident is still under investigation. He wouldn’t say if charges will be laid.

Police helped move about 20 horses back to one owner’s property on Monday, Rochette said.

“This has been ongoing for, I’ve been told, 10, 15 years,” Rochette said of the issue of roaming horses in the Pemberton area. “This problem keeps coming back.”

In winter, wandering horses are attracted to the salt on the highway and it’s suspected that’s why the horses were on the road last Wednesday, he said.

Patty Ritchie lives next to the festival grounds and said after last week’s crashes the horse was shot by police in her driveway. “It’s just horrible to see it,” she said.

Ritchie said this isn’t the first time horses have died after being hit by cars on Highway 99. She estimated that up to six horses have been killed in the last year.

“This is a major highway,” she said. “It’s carnage.”

But Rochette said he checked RCMP records and couldn’t find any other reports of horses being killed by motor vehicles.

Ritchie said the owner of the horses isn’t taking responsibility for them, and the animals come to the fields to look for food. Neighbours have contacted the SPCA but nothing has changed, she said.

Now, she’s trying to get the Ministry of Transportation involved. Ritchie said she’s worried someone could get killed in future car/horse crashes. Ritchie also declined to provide the owner’s name.

Though in the past the Pemberton area was considered “free range,” that’s no longer the case, Rochette said.

“You have a responsibility to keep the horses on your property,” he said.

RCMP and Tribal Police have informed the owners about the possible consequences of letting the horses roam free, such as charges under the Livestock Act or bills from ICBC for liability, Rochette said. But because the owners live on reserve, there are “different guidelines,” he said.

RCMP officers are working with the Mount Currie band council and Tribal Police to try to find a long-term solution, he said. Rochette said he’s also been in touch with the SPCA, the Squamish Lillooet Regional District and the Ministry of Transportation.