'It was pretty disgusting': Spring revealing smelly situation in school yard left behind by pet owners
Spring is revealing a smelly situation at a Winnipeg school that has left parents disgusted – they believe irresponsible pet owners could be to blame.
When students at École Varennes came inside from recess earlier this week, staff noticed something unusual.
"We started noticing a fairly strong odour in the school," Amy Warriner, school principal, told CTV News. "As we investigated, we found that there were some smelly snow suits and snow pants from the kids playing outside."
Warriner said the school believes the smell is the result of some local pet owners walking their dogs through the schoolyard in the evenings, and leaving behind some unwelcome surprises courtesy of their canines.
The waste has been spread over several areas of the school's field where the kids play, leaving students with outdoor clothing that 'smells strongly.'
"The reaction is somewhat frustrating, of course, because our kids are negatively impacted by what's been happening in the evening," Warriner said.
The school sent an email to parents, warning them of the 'pungent odour of organic waste' permeating their children's snowsuits.
Suzanne Chartrand, whose son is a student at the school, said she was disappointed when she got the notice Wednesday evening.
"I thought it was pretty disgusting," she told CTV News. "I just think it's disappointing that there are so many irresponsible dog owners out there who don't pick up their dog's mess."
She said the school has asked parents to wash their children's winter clothing, though Chartrand said so far her son has not been impacted by the smell.
In the interim, the school said it has blocked off areas of the playground affected and has asked students not to play on the field until the 'issue has passed.'
Chartrand said she is thankful for the quick reaction from the school to take precautions and protect the students.
"I'm glad they addressed it with everyone before we made a stink about it."
She said her message to pet owners is simple: "Pick up your dog mess. I mean, it's not that hard," she said. "It's not a dog park. You know, I know lots of people like to walk their dogs through school yards and stuff like that, but you got to be responsible and pick up after them."
Warriner said the school is now in the process of ordering new signage indicating no dogs are allowed in the playground area.
"Overall my observation as a citizen of Winnipeg has been that most people do clean up after their dogs. And so these are unfortunate situations that occur," she said. "(We're) asking everybody to be thoughtful and mindful about where they walk their dog and the implications for other people."
According to the city, pet owners can face a $200 fine for failing to pick up after their dog, or for letting their dog on school grounds, playgrounds or sports fields where signs prohibit them.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.