'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
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
1 person killed and 23 injured in a bus crash in northern Maryland, police say
One person was killed and 23 others were injured when a bus crashed early Sunday on Interstate 95 in northern Maryland, police said.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
William Nylander stood in a solemn visitors locker room at TD Garden just before midnight. The Maple Leafs had battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss. Nylander's message was emphatic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Video shows gaggle of geese stopping traffic on Highway 1 near Vancouver
A mother goose and her goslings caused a bit of a traffic jam on a busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Vancouver Saturday.