'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
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Stars roar back to win Game 3 over Oilers
Jason Robertson's hat-trick goal midway through the third period broke a deadlock and proved to be the eventual winner as the Dallas Stars beat the host Edmonton Oilers 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final to take a 2-1 series lead.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.