CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO

POLICY ON ANIMALS ON CAMPUS

RECOMMENDED BY ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL:      October 23, 2000

APPROVED BY PRESIDENT KARNIG:     November 30, 2000

For interpretation of this policy, contact:
        Office of Environmental Health and Safety, 909/880-5179

BACKGROUND

This policy is a revision of two CSUSB policies which have been in effect since 1971 addressing issues related to animals on campus.  Due to changes in terminology and practices, the existing campus policies ("Policy Relating to Dogs on Campus" and "Animals on Campus") have been consolidated and updated into a single policy.  Legal authority for this policy includes the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the California Food and Agriculture Code (Section 30801), California Health and Safety Code (Section 121575), California Vehicle Code (Section 23117), San Bernardino City Ordinance (Section 6.24.00), and San Bernardino County Ordinance (Section 32.016).

PURPOSE

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.

POLICY

Dogs, except for police dogs and service dogs used by individuals with disabilities, and dogs registered by faculty and staff with Public Safety, are not permitted in campus buildings, including campus housing units (except as indicated in housing agreements).  Owners of service dogs in training must obtain permission from the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities prior to entering campus buildings.  Any faculty or staff person who brings a dog (other than a police or service dog) into a campus building is subject to the following responsibilities and restrictions:  (1)  permission from his or her senior supervisor (Dean or Division Vice President or designee) to bring the dog into his or her office; (2) evidence that the dog has received obedience training; (3) the faculty or staff person must keep the dog in his or her own private or semi-private office, using public areas only as needed to bring the dog directly to or from his or her office; (4) the dog may not be brought into a classroom; (5) the dog must be on a leash at all times except when the dog is contained in the faculty or staff person's private or semiprivate office (with the door closed).  Dogs must be on a leash in all areas of the campus, except during approved sponsored events or training classes or when contained in a faculty or staff office in accordance with the foregoing provisions.  All other animals while on University property will be restrained on a leash or other appropriate restraining device, and the leash/device must be held by and under the control of a competent person at all times.  A valid dog license must be worn at all times by any dog on campus.

Disruption of the campus educational process, administrative process, or other campus function by the animal requires that the animal be removed from the University property immediately by the owner or handler.

The owner of any animal found in any campus 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.  Animals will also be impounded after a reasonable local search conducted by the Public Safety Department finds no owner in attendance. Any animal causing a nuisance will be subject to impoundment and the owner may be cited under San Bernardino City Ordinance.   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 incurred by the animal(s).

No animal shall be maintained overnight in any campus building which is not designated as approved housing for research purposes (e.g., vivaria).  Such approval must be secured through the CSUSB Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee.

Unattended dogs found tied outside a campus building without proper shelter or water, or causing a nuisance (barking or aggressive tendencies), will be removed by the Department of Public Safety or by the San Bernardino City Animal Control.  The presence of any animal, wild or domestic, in any unattended motor vehicle without proper food, water, or ventilation, or subjected to extreme temperatures that could affect its health or safety, will be reported to San Bernardino City Animal Control.

Feral or untamed cats will be trapped by the CSUSB Physical Plant Grounds Department and removed by San Bernardino City Animal Control.   Sighting of injured or potentially dangerous wild animals (e.g., opossums, skunks, coyotes) on campus should be reported to the Public Safety Department and/or the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.  Wild animals threatening other animals or humans should be reported to the Public Safety Department immediately.  For removal of carcasses found on University property, contact the Physical Plant Grounds Department (880-5175) during business hours, and the Public Safety Department (880-5165) during evening and weekend hours.

Fecal matter deposited by animals on campus must be removed immediately by the owner.

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

PROCEDURES

This policy will be administered and enforced by the CSUSB Office of Environmental Health and Safety, in cooperation with the CSUSB Public Safety Department and the San Bernardino City Animal Control.  Campus employees are responsible for compliance with this policy.  Violation of the policy by an employee or student of the University may result in corrective action under appropriate personnel policy and procedures, and student conduct procedures.

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