ANIMALS ON UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

About This Policy

Policy Statement

The university prohibits individuals from bringing any animal into any university building or onto any method of university transportation, at any time. This prohibition applies to all animals, with the sole exception of service animals and approved support animals. University staff will immediately remove any individual and their animal from university property upon discovery of a violation of this rule.

Individuals may bring animals onto university grounds and keep them there, provided signage does not explicitly prohibit their presence in specific areas. Tethering animals to structures not specifically designed for animal restraint, such as fences, trees, shrubs, posts, or other objects, is strictly prohibited. Individuals are responsible for the immediate collection and disposal of all animal waste, including but not limited to feces and litter. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the removal of the animal from university property.

The university allows the following animals in its buildings and facilities, with specific limitations:

• Service animals.
• Service animals in training (with proper documentation).
• Support animals (with prior approval from the campus disability services office).
• Therapy animals, on days when engaged in university-sponsored therapeutic programming.
• Animals used in the delivery of instruction, during the period of instruction, and in the period reasonably necessary to prepare for and conclude the instructional period.
• Animals brought to animal-related university-sponsored events, during the duration of the event.
• Animals used in university-sponsored research.
• Animals used to fulfill functional responsibilities of a university department.
• Animals used in support of law enforcement or disaster recovery activities.

Privately-owned animals may face additional restrictions.

Requirements for All Animals

Unless expressly noted otherwise, all individuals bringing or having an animal, including service animals or approved support animals, onto university property must comply with the following requirements:

• The owner or handler must always maintain control of the animal, and the animal must remain non-disruptive.
• The owner or handler must keep the animal harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places. For service animals, the handler may refrain from using these devices if they interfere with the tasks or work the service animal performs, or if the individual’s disability prevents the use of these devices.
• Except as noted here, individuals may not leave animals unattended on university property. Animals must never remain tethered to a stationary fixture or tree. On campuses with university-owned housing, a service animal or approved support animal, approved in advance for university housing, may remain unattended during the day within the owner’s on-campus residence or university real estate housing, following campus-specific guidelines.
• Individuals may not leave a service animal or approved support animal alone overnight, nor place it in the care of others (such as a roommate) without affirmative agreement.
• The owner or handler must ensure that the animal receives vaccinations against diseases common to its species, in accordance with federal, state, and local ordinances and regulations, and must provide proof of these vaccinations if requested. Additionally, all animals should wear a tag that identifies the owner or handler and includes contact information for emergencies.
• The owner or handler bears responsibility for containing and disposing of all animal waste.
• The owner or handler assumes responsibility for any damages and injuries caused by the animal.

Responsibility for Animal Conduct

Any individual bringing an animal onto university property assumes responsibility for the animal’s behavior and actions, the health and safety of individuals nearby or affected by the animal, and the health and cleanliness of the campus environment. Animals on university property must remain up to date on all required vaccinations and possess licenses as mandated by the municipality where they primarily reside.

Any individual owning or controlling an animal may only bring the animal onto university property when a leash or lead remains securely attached to the animal and held by the responsible individual. When a leash does not provide appropriate control, the individual must secure the animal in a cage. This rule does not apply to any service animal unable to perform its tasks while leashed or tethered.

The university seeks restitution for any damage caused by animals to university-controlled property, facilities, or grounds. The cleanup, repair, or replacement costs of damaged property remain the sole responsibility of the animal’s owner. This requirement applies to all animals, including pets, service animals, and support animals.

Campus or city police or safety officers will impound any unaccompanied or stray animal, or any animal whose owner they cannot identify.

The handler bears sole responsibility for cleaning up after all animals. If the handler is physically unable to clean up after the animal, they must hire someone capable of doing so. The person cleaning up after the animal must:

• Always carry sufficient equipment or materials for cleaning up the animal’s feces whenever the animal is on campus.
• Properly dispose of waste and/or litter in appropriate containers.

The university may exclude any animal from university property under the following circumstances:

• If the animal becomes out of control and the owner/handler does not take immediate and effective action to control it.
• If the animal is not housebroken.
• If the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that the university cannot eliminate or reduce to an acceptable level through reasonable modifications to other policies, practices, or procedures.
• If the animal’s presence would fundamentally change the nature of the university’s services or programs.
• If the university specifically prohibits animals due to health, environmental, or safety hazards, or if the animal creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference within the university community.

Service Animals and Service Animals in Training

The university welcomes service animals and service animals in training onto university property. Service animals enjoy the same access rights as their owners to university grounds and buildings. While the university strives to accommodate service animals in all circumstances, there may be rare instances where the animal’s health or safety may be compromised. In such cases, alternative arrangements may be necessary.

University community members must respect service animals and refrain from interfering with their work or their owners.

Service animals do not need to wear any special harness or garment but must always remain under the handler’s control. In situations where the animal’s role as a service animal does not appear obvious, university officials may ask the following two qualifying questions:

• Is the Service Animal required because of a person’s disability?
• What work or task has the Service Animal been trained to perform?

It is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 609.833 to misrepresent an unqualified animal as a service animal.

The presence of a service animal with an individual with a disability in a location with health and safety restrictions will undergo a case-by-case review by the appropriate department representative(s) in collaboration with the Office of Human Resources.

Individuals Training a Service Animal 

Individuals training a service animal must possess authorization from a legitimate service animal organization. This authorization may come directly from the organization or from an individual volunteering for the organization and authorized to raise dogs to become service animals.

To verify their authorization, individuals training a service animal must carry photographic identification. This identification serves as proof of their status and their right to train the animal on university property.

Support Animals 

The university reviews each request for a support animal on a case-by-case basis through an interactive process with the appropriate university office. This process ensures that the university can assess the specific needs of the individual and determine whether a support animal is a reasonable accommodation.

The university reserves the right to deny requests for or revoke approval of support animals that would impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the university. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the nature of the disability, the specific needs of the individual, and the resources available to the university.

Employees who require a support animal as a reasonable accommodation for their disability may bring the animal to their workplace, but they must obtain prior approval from the Office of Human Resources. This approval process ensures that the university can assess the specific needs of the employee and the workplace environment to determine whether the accommodation is appropriate and feasible.

Approved support animals may reside in university housing or on university grounds, but their presence is limited to the student’s private living space. This restriction is necessary to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all residents.

Handlers of support animals must take appropriate measures to ensure the animal’s safety and the safety of others. This includes using carriers, leashes, or harnesses when the animal is outside the individual’s private living space.

Residents who experience negative impacts from a support animal should contact the university housing office. Campus housing staff will work with the residents and the individual with the disability to determine if further accommodations or changes are necessary.

Unless a specific exception applies, support animals approved for university housing cannot enter other indoor public areas, private offices, classrooms, or labs. This restriction is necessary to protect the health and safety of all individuals and to maintain an appropriate learning and working environment. Individuals who wish to bring a support animal to campus for other purposes must work with the disability services office and other relevant parties to determine the reasonableness of the accommodation before bringing the animal. This collaborative process ensures that the needs of the individual with the disability are balanced with the needs of the broader university community.

Companion Animals (Pets) 

Pets are not permitted in or in any spaces on university property and are permitted only in outdoor areas open to the general public. 

Violations and Complaints 

The university remains committed to creating an inclusive environment that accommodates the needs of all individuals with disabilities. The university will work diligently to address and resolve any complaints, conflicts, or problems related to animal-related issues promptly.

Individuals who observe animals behaving in a manner that disrupts the campus environment or poses a threat to the safety and well-being of the community should report these incidents to the university’s Department of Campus Safety & Emergency Management.

For concerns regarding animals in residence halls, including alleged violations of university policies or guidelines by individuals with animals on campus, individuals should report these issues to the Office of Student Development. The university will investigate such reports and take appropriate action, including referring individuals who violate university policies to the student conduct process.

For non-emergency concerns about animals in academic buildings, administrative offices, or other campus areas, individuals should contact the Office of Human Resources.

Individuals with service or assistance animals who believe they have experienced unfair treatment, discrimination, or harassment should reach out to the Office of Human Resources for guidance and support. The university is committed to addressing such concerns and ensuring that individuals with disabilities are treated fairly and respectfully.

Sanctions

Individuals who fail to comply with the university’s animal policy will face consequences. For university employees and students, this may involve disciplinary action, including potential removal of the animal from university property. The specific disciplinary actions will be determined based on the severity of the violation and applicable university policies and procedures.

Non-university members who violate the policy may be considered trespassers and subject to legal action, including removal from university property and potential criminal charges.

In all cases, individuals who fail to comply with the policy will be required to remove their animals from university property. The university reserves the right to take additional measures to ensure compliance with the policy, such as issuing warnings, fines, or other penalties.

Appeals and Grievances 

Any person dissatisfied with a decision concerning a service animal or support may appeal by following these steps:

• Written or emailed complaints should be filed with the appropriate university office within 30 days of the date of the decision.
• File a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, by calling 800-421-3481 (Voice) or 800-877-8339 (TTY); or with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights by calling 800-657-3704 (Voice) or 800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY) within 180 days of the occurrence of the incident (statute of limitations.)

Reason For Policy

Animals on university property and in university buildings can impact the university’s normal operations. They may create unsanitary conditions or health concerns (such as allergies, waste, or bites), disrupt daily activities (through excessive noise, unattended animals, or individual conflicts), or cause damage to grounds, buildings, and property.

Service and approved support animals play a crucial role for individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities. It is important for those who rely on these animals, along with the broader university community, to understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Policy Scope

This policy applies to all university property and to all members of the university community, guests, and visitors.

Procedures

Individuals Utilizing Service Animals

Students with disabilities who utilize service animals may contact Student Accessibility Services for assistance. Student Accessibility Services will assist each student as appropriate.

Employees with disabilities who utilize service animals may contact The Office of Human Resource. Human Resource may then communicate with the applicable campus department/supervisor regarding the employee’s accommodation related needs.

When not readily apparent that an animal is a service animal, university personnel may ask only two questions to determine if the animal is permitted, i.e., (1) is the animal a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Individuals Utilizing Assistance Animals

Residence students with disabilities who utilize assistance animals will provide Student Accessibility Services recent documentation from a physician or licensed mental health professional that:  a) verifies the individual meets FHA’s definition of a person with a disability; b) describes how the animal assists the individual; and c) shows the relationship between the individual’s disability and the need for the assistance. If approved, Student Accessibility Services will then communicate with the Housing Department regarding the student’s accommodation-related needs.

Appendices

• There are no appendices associated with this policy.

Additional Contacts

Definitions

Companion Animal

Ref. Pet.

Owner/Handler

A person with a disability that a service animal assists, or a personal care attendant who handles the animal for a person with a disability.

Pet

A privately owned animal, vertebrate or invertebrate, kept for ordinary use and/or companionship, and not classified as a service animal or a support animal.

Service Animal

Any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability, which meets the definition of “service animal” under ADA regulations at 28 CFR 35.104.

The work or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Examples include, but are not limited to: Assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks; alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds; providing non-violent protection or rescue work; pulling a wheelchair; assisting an individual during a seizure; alerting individuals to the presence of allergens; retrieving items such as medicine or a telephone; providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities; and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.

The crime-deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship provided by an animal do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition

Under particular circumstances set forth in the ADA regulations at 28 CFR 35.136(i), a miniature horse may qualify as a service animal.

Support Animal

A support animal, also called an assistance animal or emotional support animal, provides emotional support, well-being, or companionship that helps alleviate or reduce the symptoms of a disability. Unlike service animals, support animals (1) do not receive individual training to perform tasks or work; (2) can include species other than dogs; (3) are generally not allowed in indoor public areas, private offices, classrooms, or labs when approved for university housing; and (4) require prior approval from the campus disability services office to be allowed on campus.

Therapy Animal

A therapy animal receives obedience training and undergoes screening to ensure it can interact well with humans and other animals. The main purpose of a therapy animal is to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and other settings.

University Grounds

Any land or outdoor spaces owned or leased by the university.

University Housing

Residence halls, apartments, or other rental housing that is owned or controlled by North Central University.

University Property

Buildings, grounds, and land that are owned by North Central University or controlled North Central University via leases or other formal contractual arrangements to conduct ongoing university operations.

Responsibilities

Animal Handler / Owner

• Comply with all provisions of this policy. Maintain control of their animal and ensure safety of others at all times.

University Operations

• Define and maintain the process for approval of support animals.
• Process requests for support animals in university housing.
• Serve as a resource for individuals and supervisors with questions about application of this policy regarding service animals.

Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Respond to complaints about stray or noncompliant animals.

Office of Human Resources

• Adjudicate reported violations of this policy by employees, guests, visitors, and other university affiliates.
• Process requests for support animals for university employees, guests, visitors, and other university affiliates.

Office of Student Development – Student Conduct Office

• Adjudicate reported violations of this policy by students.

Office of Student Development – Student Housing Office

• Facilitate approved requests for support animals for students.

Supervisors

• Respond to violations of this policy by employees within their unit.
• Ask noncompliant animal handlers to leave university buildings or public transportation.
• Address repeat offenders through the employee performance process.

RELATED INFORMATION

Relevant Legislation

• ADA 2012 Revised Requirements for Service Animals
  ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
• S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights: Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
  https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html#cert
• https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/256C.02
• https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/363A.19

Other Related Information

• Service Animals v. Emotional Support Animals: Where they are allowed and under what conditions
  https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet

History

Issued

2024-12-09