A Cambridge mother hoping to take her children for a run around the track adjacent to Jacob Hespeler Secondary School found herself locked out, thanks to the irresponsible behaviour of pet owners who don't scoop their dogs' poop.

Carolyn Leighton-Hilborn recently went to the track and was greeted by a large sign posted on the fence reading: "Due to field neglect by dog owners we have locked up track and field."

The mother and local businessperson argues she and her family, and the rest of the community, shouldn't be in the doghouse because of the poor behaviour of others. She raised the issue with the Cambridge Times, hoping for some clarity.

"I live in Hespeler and would love to figure out how to address this silly situation at the Jacob Hespeler Secondary School," she said.

"For several years now, the track and field have been locked up, prohibiting general public, who helped pay for that track and field through tax dollars, due to a handful of bad apples who refuse to stoop and scoop their dogs' mess."

Despite attempts to contact school board administrators for some time, she said she is still without an answer.

"I have three young boys and figured we could use the track and have fun, while getting in some easy and free exercise," she wrote. "That is not to be. It is odd that the other two tracks I can think of at other schools have not gone to this extent."

Inquiries to the Waterloo Region District School Board and the City of Cambridge suggest it is not clear who made the decision to close the track.

School board communication officials said they confirmed that the track and field fall under the responsibility of the city, and all questions should be redirected to city staff.

But city staff told the Times the track is actually a school board responsibility, not a city one, but assured further investigation was underway to look into the matter.

According to the city's website, however, anyone who wants to inquire about the track and field location, including rental fees and availability, should contact the city's community services department. Jacob Hespeler's website also notes the track and field area, located adjacent to the school, is not part of the school's facilities.