SY07 Governing Control of Animals on University Property

Contents:

• Purpose
• General
• Policy
• Sanctions
• Further Information
• Cross References

PURPOSE:

To state University policy for control of animals on University property.

GENERAL:

The presence of animals on University property has had, in many cases, an adverse effect on the normal functions of the University by causing bodily harm to individuals, unsanitary conditions in University buildings and facilities, and nuisances.

POLICY:

No person, owning or having under his/her control any animal, shall permit such animal to be brought upon the property of The Pennsylvania State University without having a leash or lead suitably attached to the animal and held by the person responsible, except in designated hunting areas.

No person shall tether an animal to any fence, tree, shrub, post, or other object located upon the lands of The Pennsylvania State University not designed for the purpose of securing animals.

No person shall bring any animal into any University building, or permit any animal on any University public transportation facility.

The aforementioned shall not apply to service animals, service animals in training, assistant animals approved as a reasonable accomodation by the appropriate University office, authorized research conducted by a University department, the use of an animal to carry out functional responsibilities of a University department, or an animal hospital or to a shelter designed and constructed to house animals.

SANCTIONS:

A person having an animal in a building or on the property in violation of these regulations, and who refuses to comply with the regulations upon the request of a responsible person, may be subject to arrest for trespass if he/she fails to depart the property.

A person who allows an animal to run at large upon the property in violation of the Pennsylvania "Dog Law of 1983 - Act 225" is subject to a citation for such violations.

An animal tethered and unattended upon the property of the University in violation of these regulations will be impounded by the campus designated public safety entity and released to a local animal hospital or animal rescue facility. The owner will be responsible for any costs incurred.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For questions, additional detail, or to request changes to this policy, please contact the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.

CROSS REFERENCES:

AD66 - Service Animal Policy

Most Recent Changes:

• January 13, 2023 - Editorial change to update Subject Matter Expert and Policy Steward.
• December 16, 2018 editorial and clarification of service animals

Revision History (and effective dates):

• May 17, 2016 - The SANCTIONS section has been updated to clarify current operations.
• February 27, 2014 - Editorial changes. Addition of policy steward information, in the event that there are questions or requests for changes to the policy.
• March 31, 2010 - CROSS REFERENCES section added, to reflect the appropriate cross reference to the new Service Animal Policy, Policy AD66.
• February 3, 2010 - Editorial change made in POLICY section, last paragraph. The reference to "seeing eye dogs" was changed to "service animals," to reflect the proper terminology for animals that assist individuals with a disability.
• June 19, 2006 - Revision History added.
• March 25, 1994 - Revised "Policy" section expanding the use of an animal for carrying at functional responsibilities.
• June 2, 1987 - Revised "Sanctions" to reference the correct Dog Law Act.