Photo: Osoyoos Cottages

A group of residents at the Osoyoos Lake Cottages say they are frustrated with a pair of aggressive dogs that allegedly have been harassing people coming and going from the development.

Ray Nadon, a year-round resident at the development on the northeast shore of Osoyoos Lake on OIB land, says the Osoyoos Cottages owners association has been trying for years to have something done about a pair of dogs often loose on Radio Tower Road, the only public road into the Cottages.

“They are quite aggressive,” he said, explaining the large dogs chase bikers and confront joggers on the roadway.

“There are 50-60 homes here that are just rentals. In the summer, there are all kinds of people coming here… and they jog, cycle and use that road and they are getting frustrated too.”

A jogger leaving the Cottages was bitten by one of the dogs last fall.

Nadon says they have not been able to get any help with the situation from the Osoyoos Indian Band, which does not have an animal control bylaw. The SPCA has no jurisdiction on First Nations land and the RCMP has been unwilling to get involved, unless something more serious occurs.

While Nadon says the aggressive dogs originate from a home on Radio Tower Road and harass those passing by, OIB Chief Clarence Louie says the jogger who was bitten was on Nk’Mip Road — a private road that shouldn’t be used by Cottages residents.

“Those people should not be bicycling on that private band road, Nk’Mip Road,” Louie said, explaining Nk’Mip Road is not a part of the Cottages’ lease. “When you lease somebody's land you should stay on that lease.”

Louie said he believes Cottages residents would be free to cycle and walk on Radio Tower Road, “but I know where they [the jogger] got bit, was on Nk’Mip Road, and that’s not a part of their lease.”

"That's the main issue, not a dog bylaw issue," he added.

Nadon, meanwhile, maintains the dog bite occurred on Radio Tower Road.

He says their owners association is going to be reaching out to the neighbouring properties again this Christmas in an attempt to deal with the situation amicably, “we are not enemies here, just neighbours.”