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Animals On Campus Policy

Animals On Campus Policy

Reviewed By: Administrative Council on
Approved By: President Karnig on
Reviewed By: Administrative Council on
Approved By: President Morales on
Reviewed By: Administrative Council on
Approved By: President Morales on

For interpretation of this policy, please contact the responsible department: Office of Environmental Health and Safety, (909) 537-5179

Legal authority for this policy includes the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the California Food and Agriculture Code (Section 30801), California Health and Safety Code (Section 121575) and California Vehicle Code (Section 23117). This policy applies to all employees and students at the University.

This policy outlines procedures designed to control the nuisance and potential health hazards created by domestic animals (e.g., dogs, cats, livestock), and wild animals (e.g., raccoons, skunks, opossums), on campus. Research animals are exempt from this policy. This policy applies to all employees and students at the University.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Dogs and other animals, except for police dogs, service animals used by individuals with disabilities, and animals used in research or demonstration as part of a University program, are not permitted inside of University buildings, including University housing units (except as indicated in housing agreements). Service animals, as defined by the ADA, are dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

No animals may be brought into a classroom unless the animal is part of a teaching or research project sanctioned by the University or a service animal for a student and faculty member who has been granted this as a reasonable accommodation by Services by Students with Disabilities (for students) or Human Resources (for employees).

Service animals may be restricted from certain areas where considerations of public health and safety, safety of the individuals with disabilities or of the service animals, or research integrity must take precedence. These include research laboratories where contamination caused by the presence of an animal, or risk of contamination of an animal, may be present; mechanical rooms and custodial closets; medical treatment areas; areas posing dangerous hazards to service animals; and food preparation areas where public safety regulations prohibit the presence of a service animals.  Restricted areas will be identified by the department responsible for controlling access to the area after consultation with Human Resources. Where restrictions are necessary, access to these areas will be accommodated through other reasonable means to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

INTERACTIVE PROCESS REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals, as defined by the ADA, are dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.  Before individuals with disabilities bring their service animals to the campus, they must schedule an interactive process meeting with Human Resource for employees or Services to Students with Disabilities for students.

ACCEPTABLE PRACTICES  

Service animals, while on University property, must be restrained with a restraining device and must be under the control of a competent person at all times. Service animals must be kept on a leash, harness or tethered in all areas of the University except when the service animal is contained inside a faculty or staff office with the door closed, or the restraining device interferes with the service animal's work or the individual's disability prevents use of these devices. In that case, the individual must use voice, signal, or other effective means to maintain control of the animal.

A valid dog license must be worn at all times by any dog on University property.

All other dogs on campus must also be restrained with a restraining device at all times and must be kept under control by the owner at all times.

Fecal matter deposited by animals on University property must be removed immediately by the owner of the animal depositing such. If the individual is personally unable to perform the task due to disability, it is their responsibility to arrange for removal and disposal. Any damage, staining, discoloration, odor, or other result of the animal's waste deposit will be repaired or resolved to bring affected areas back to University standards. The owner of the animal is responsible for all costs necessary to effect repairs.

Owner and/or handlers are responsible for the supervision and care of the animal. Disruption of the University educational process, administrative process, or other University function by any animal will require that the animal be removed from University property immediately.

The owner of any animal found inside of any University facility where animals are not allowed will be requested to remove the animal immediately. Failure to comply with this request will result in the animal being impounded. Any animal causing a nuisance will be subject to impoundment and the owner may be cited under San Bernardino City Ordinances. Owners of impounded animals will be held responsible for payment of any impound and/or license fees required to secure the release of their animals. Owners of animals on University property shall be liable for the expense of all damages caused by the animal(s).

No animal shall be maintained overnight in any University building which is not designated as approved housing (e.g. vivaria) for the animal or overnight stay location of the owner of the service animals. Research animal housing can be regulated through the CSUSB Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Unattended animals found secured or restrained outside a University building will be removed by University Police or by the San Bernardino City Animal Services. The presence of any animal in any motor vehicle without proper food, water, ventilation, or subjected to extreme temperatures that could affect its health or safety, will be reported to San Bernardino City Animal Control.

Horses shall not be ridden on campus property that is developed or landscaped. 

WILD ANIMALS

Wild animals threatening other animals or humans should be reported to the University Police immediately.

Feral cats will be trapped by the CSUSB Facilities Services' Grounds Department.

Sighting of injured or potentially dangerous wild animals (e.g., opossums, skunks, coyotes, rattlesnakes) on University property should be reported to the University Police and/or Environmental Health and Safety. For removal of carcasses found on University property, contact the Facilities Services' Grounds Department (537-5175) during business hours, and the  University Police (537-5165) during evening and weekend hours.

ENFORCEMENT AND LIABILITY

This policy will be administered and enforced by the CSUSB Environmental Health and Safety Department, in cooperation with the CSUSB University Police and the San Bernardino City Animal Services. ). It is the responsibility of appropriate administrator or manager to enforce this policy within their departments. Campus employees are responsible for compliance with this policy. Violations of the policy by an employee or student at the University may result in corrective action under appropriate personnel and student conduct procedures. Non-compliance should be reported to the appropriate administrator, Human Resources for employees (537-5138), or the Dean of Students for students (phone number)).

Any injury to a member of the campus community and/or damages to university property by the animal will be the responsibility of the animal’s owner and handler.