6.5.2 Working Animals on Campus

Proposed: 08/31/2016
Adopted: 09/30/2016
Last Reviewed: 07/15/2020
Effective: 10/30/2016

 

 

 

 

 

Definition

For the purposes of formulating a campus policy and to insure that individual rights and privileges are properly addressed, Middle Georgia State University (MGA) has enacted this directive in regards to all service, support, and comfort animals that will be on any campus or at any sponsored activity of MGA. This policy is in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding service animals, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding the Fair Housing Act, and Georgia Law (OCGA 30.4.2) on dogs that are being trained as service animals.

The ADA states a service animal is “Any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”

The ADA law recognizes only dogs and miniature horses as service animals. To be classified as a service animal, the work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the owner’s disability.

For a person to qualify as disabled, the disabling condition must be severe enough to substantially limit one or more major life activities. The dog and/or miniature horse that has been trained to assist a person who has a documented disability is allowed to accompany the person with a disability to classes, activities, programs, field trips, and residence halls as long as it is not specifically prohibited by this policy, federal or state law, Board of Regents policy, and the animal will not impede the health and safety of the campus community.

Support and comfort animals are only covered by the HUD regulations in relation to living in the residence halls. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is enforced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). University living areas fall under the FHA. In matters pertaining to “Assistance Animals” the FHA has a broader definition than the ADA. These animals are stipulated acceptable under the FHA if they comply with the following:

  • The person has a documented disability.
  • The animal is necessary to afford the person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling.
  • There is an identifiable relationship with the person with the disability and the assistance the animal provides.

HUD does not set any restrictions on the type of animal that could qualify as an assistance animal under the FHA as long as there is supporting documentation that the animal is assisting in the betterment of the person with a disability.

However, HUD does not require the university to permit animals on campus if they pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others; would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others; would pose an undue financial and administrative burden; or would fundamentally alter the nature of the university’s dormitory operations.

In summary, the FHA requires reasonable accommodations for “assistance animals” in residence hall rooms only, but the university is not required to allow the person to bring that animal to other areas or buildings on campus unless that animal qualifies as a “service animal” under the ADA and Section 504.

Inquiries about Service Animals

When it is not obvious what duties a service animal provides, the staff may ask two questions:

  1. Are the animal’s services required because of a disability?
  2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

The employee cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require special identification or training documentation for the animal or ask that the animal perform the work or task.

Allergies or the fear of animals are not acceptable reasons to deny accommodations to people using service animals. A reasonable solution to address the situation will be enacted whenever necessary.

The service animal will only be removed from the property if-

  1. The animal is out of control and the handler does not take action to control it.
  2. The animal is not housebroken.
  3. The animal acts aggressively towards others.
  4. The animal is ill and is a health threat to others.
  5. The owner of the animal is not with the animal and/or leaves it in the care of others.

The comfort and support animal will be removed from the property if-

  1. The animal is at locations outside of the campus housing and approved designated locations.
  2. The owner does not register the animal on campus.
  3. The owner does not maintain the care and upkeep of the animal.
  4. The animal is aggressive towards others.
  5. The animal is ill and is a health threat to others.
  6. The owner of the animal is not with the animal and/or leaves it in the care of others.

Acknowledgement

To ensure compliance with all rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to Working Animals, MGA has enacted a Working Animal registry on its campuses.   This policy is voluntary for persons with ADA recognized Service Animals temporarily visiting the campus or students commuting to school, but it is highly recommended while the service dog is on campus.   This registry has been designed to assist if there is an on-campus incident involving the animal or in times of emergencies. All students and employees who live in the campus residence halls with animals, including services animals, will have to comply with the registry.

Requirements for Animals & Owners on Campus

  • REGISTRATION

The owner must contact the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) and complete the Animal Registration Forms before the animal is allowed on campus. If the dog is a service animal and not living in campus housing, they are exempt from having to register.

 

  • LIABILITY

Care and upkeep of the animal- the owner assumes full responsibility as long as the animal is on campus or at an off-campus university function. The owner is responsible for all costs incurred when the animal damages property or causes injury to anyone. In the case in which the animal injures a person, the owner shall make an immediate report to the campus police so that the incident can be properly investigated and fault can be determined and documented.

  • LEASH

The animal must be on a leash at all time when in university buildings. When the animal is in residence halls, the animal can be unleashed in the owner’s room. The only other time the animal may be allowed to be off the leash is when it is exercising in an approved open area and at that time, it will be under close controlling/supervision. If owner is unable to control the animal in this circumstance, this privilege may be taken away.

  • HOUSEBROKEN

The animal must be housebroken before it is allowed on campus. Whether it is a service, comfort, support or a service animal in training, if the animal is not housebroken, it will be excluded from MGA. In the case of an isolated mishap, the owner is responsible for the immediate clean up and disposal of the animal’s bodily fluids and solid wastes whether indoors or outside unless the owner is not physically able to perform that duty.

  • CLEANUP

Whether it is liquid or solid waste or trash attributed to the animal, it is the owner’s responsibility to clean up after the animal. If the owner is physically unable to clean up after the animal, arrangements will be made to address that situation and the cost of cleanup and/or repair will be the responsibility of the owner. It is the owner’s responsibility to purchase appropriate supplies to sanitize and deodorize areas of occupancy and to have disposal bags available at all times.

  • BEHAVIOR

The owner is required to remove an animal that is disruptive from campus. If the animal is biting, attempting to bite, growling, running around, jumping on people, or other disruptive behavior, it must be removed immediately from campus. If the animal is disruptive and the owner does not remove the animal, the animal will be banned from campus. The campus police can demand the animal be removed from campus if it is an immediate threat. In cases of non-emergency requests to remove animals from campus, a hearing panel, chaired by the Director of Accessibility Services will address those concerns and make recommendations.

  • HEALTH

The owner shall not bring an animal that is ill in any facility on campus. If an animal becomes ill in any campus facility, the owner must immediately remove the animal from that property. Animals must also be clean and well-groomed. Any animal that is not clean (no ticks, fleas, infestations, foul smelling, or inadequately groomed) may be asked to leave the university facility until the condition is corrected.

  • INCIDENT REPORTING

In the event that an incident occurs that involves damage to property or bodily injury by an animal, the owner is REQUIRED to submit a written report to the OAS within 24 hours of the next school day. The report will include the events of the incident, names and contact numbers of persons witnessing the incident and names of persons involved in the incident.

  • IDENTIFICATION TAGS

The animal must wear a Middle Georgia State University identification tag and an owner’s information tag (contact information) as long as the animal is on campus. Service animals are exempt from this requirement, but it is recommended as a safety consideration.

Animals in Campus Housing

All animals, including ADA recognized service animals, must register with the OAS, if the student is requesting to live in the university’s residence halls with an animal. If a resident requires an animal or has committed to raising and training a service animal, the student must apply for an accommodation by submitting a request to the OAS along with the appropriate documentation at least 30 days before making a reservation to live in on-campus housing.

The Director of Accessibility Services will review the request and make a recommendation to the Director of Residence Life.

When the animal is approved to be on campus, the Office of Residence Life will make a reasonable effort to notify the students living in the residence hall where the animal will reside. Students with medical conditions that may be affected by the presence of an animal (respiratory disease, asthma, severe allergies) should contact the OAS if they have a health or safety concern about exposure to the animal. The student will be asked to provide medical documentation to the OAS that identifies their condition and accommodations may be considered.

The Director of Residence Life will work with the owner of the animal to make arrangements for a roommate. Students will not be placed in the room with an animal unless they make the request.

The owner of the animal is legally and financially responsible for all actions of the animal. If bodily injury or property damage occurs, the university reserves the right to bill the owner’s account for all necessary repair and/or replacement costs.

The owner is responsible for any expenses that are due to costs incurred for cleaning which is beyond the normal cleaning and/or repairs to housing premises after vacating the residence.

The owner’s residence may be inspected for fleas, ticks, and other pests once per semester or as needed. If fleas, ticks, or other pests are detected through inspection, the residence will be treated using approved fumigation methods by a MGA approved pest control service. The owner will be billed for any treatments beyond any normally required pest management.

The owner is responsible for properly disposing of any animal fecal matter. Outdoor animal feces must be immediately retrieved by the owner and placed in a plastic bag, tied securely, and disposed of in an outdoor trash dumpster.

The Office of Residence Life has the authority to relocate the owner and the animal as necessary per contractual agreements.

The owner agrees to continue to abide with all other student residential requirements.

Should the animal be removed from the campus for any reason, the owner is expected to fulfill his/her housing obligations.

The animal must be on the leash and escorted by the owner at all times when entering and exiting public areas within the residence halls and across campus. In addition, the animal must wear the identification tags with contact information.

The animal must not be left within the owner’s living space should the owner leave his/her campus residence.

Other responsibilities may be added to an individual agreement as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Checklist for Animal Health

  • All animals must have all veterinarian vaccinations. The documentation of vaccinations will be handled by the OAS.
  • Any and all state and county licenses must be kept current and a copy kept on file.
  • All animals if taken out of the owner’s residence hall must be wearing their identification tags (contact information)
  • All animals must be housed in acceptable conditions within the residence hall.
  • All animals must be treated humanely. If mistreatment is reported, the university may initiate an investigation.