Animals on University Property UPPS No. 04.05.10

Issue No. 1

Effective Date: 03/28/2012

Review: September 1 E4Y

01. POLICY STATEMENTS

01.01 The purpose of this UPPS is to promote safety, health, and hygiene on university property, including its buildings.

01.02 The objective of this UPPS is to communicate to the Texas State university community the guidelines and restrictions regarding animals on university property, including its buildings.

01.03 This policy applies to all property owned, operated, or maintained by the university. Animals on university property can potentially pose a significant risk to university and its community. This policy standardizes the university’s position on the management of animals on campus.

02. DEFINITIONS

02.01 Animal at Large – An animal that is either unattended or unrestrained by its owner.

02.02 Pet – An animal kept for companionship or enjoyment.

02.03 Research and Teaching Animals – Approved animals that support the university’s teaching, research or clinical programs in accordance with the guidelines of the Office of Associate Vice President for Research and Director of Federal Relations and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

02.04 Service Animal – Service animals that meet the criteria outlined in Procedures for General Service and Psychiatric Service Animals. The university considers police K-9s and other animals that work for emergency personnel as service animals.

02.05 Wild animal – A species, including each individual of a species that normally lives in a state of nature and is not ordinarily domesticated. This definition does not include exotic livestock defined by Section 161.001(a)(4), Agriculture Code.

03. RESPONSIBILITY

03.01 Each department head and supervisor will enforce the provisions of this UPPS. Also, each animal owner must follow this UPPS and respect the rights and concerns of others while on university property. Individuals with questions about this policy should contact Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHSRM).

03.02 Facilities Management’s responsibilities include removing live or dead animals from university property and transporting them to the ultimate disposal site or release point in accordance with state laws and other license. Any person who captures feral or wild animals on campus should call the University Police Department (Animal Control). Under no circumstances should that person transport and release the animal at another location.

04. GENERAL RULE

04.01 The general rule is that people must not possess or bring animals onto university property except as follows:

a. Animals used in approved teaching, research, and clinical activities

b. On-duty Emergency Service K-9s or rescue dogs

c. To provide temporary shelter as established by the Emergency Operations Command in an emergency

d. Animals on a leash may be walked on campus outside of university buildings.

e. Special Events involving animals on campus must submit a written request to hold the event to the Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management Office at least three days prior to the event. A university employee with authority to assume financial responsibility on the university’s behalf and commit university funds if needed, for any damages, clean up, or security costs associated with the special event must submit a written request.

f. Faculty or staff residing on campus must obtain written approval from the director of Housing and Residential Life before the animal is permitted to reside on campus.

05. HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS

05.01 The university has the right to remove from its property, animals causing problems regardless of any prior approval. Problems include incessant noise, harassing or intimidating people, or damaging property.

05.02 Owners must remove and dispose of pet excreta in a sanitary and lawful manner in accordance with the City of San Marcos Code of Ordinances – Chapter 6 – Animals Article 1 Sec. 6.013.

06. PROHIBITED ANIMALS (NON-SERVICE)

06.01 The university prohibits possession of poisonous reptiles, constricting snakes (e. g., boas, pythons, and anacondas), and other potentially dangerous or aggressive animals on university property except when used for approved academic or research purposes.

07. FAILURE TO COMPLY

07.01 Unapproved Animals on University Property

Owners must remove unapproved animals from University property immediately. Violations of this policy will subject staff employees to the disciplinary provisions as indicated in UPPS No. 04.04.40, Disciplining and Terminating Staff Employees. Faculty are subject to the Board of Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Chapter V, Section 4.51 (c). The university will hold policy violators liable for their animals’ actions including damage to property or injury or death to persons. In addition, student violators are subject to sanctions up to and including their suspension from the university.

07.02 Unattended or Unrestrained Animals

When the university observes an unrestrained or unattended animal, it will attempt to locate the animal’s owner. If it cannot locate the animal’s owner, it will contact the University Police Department (Animal Control) to remove the animal from university property.

07.03 Property Damage

Anyone bringing an animal onto university property assumes all financial responsibility for all damages to property or injury or death to individuals the animal causes.

08. REVIEWERS OF THIS UPPS

08.01 Reviewers of this UPPS include the following:

Position Date

Director, Environmental Health, Sept. 1 E4Y

Safety, and Risk Management

Director, Student Health Center Sept. 1 E4Y

Director, Office of Disability Services Sept. 1 E4Y

Director, Housing and Residential Life Sept. 1 E4Y

Director, University Police Department Sept. 1 E4Y

Director, Human Resources Sept. 1 E4Y

Assistant Vice President for Research Sept. 1 E4Y

and Federal Relations

09. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

Director, Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management; senior reviewer of this UPPS

Vice President for Finance and Support Services

President