Cornell University Policy Library --Policy
2.8
ENTITIES AFFECTED BY THIS POLICY
Cornell University prohibits pets from university-controlled buildings, except for those animals that are specifically exempted by this policy. In addition, while on university-controlled property, animals must be attended and restrained at all times.
The university wishes to uphold federal, state, and local laws and regulations; ensure the health and safety of its community; preserve the integrity of its grounds, buildings, and other property; and support a healthful educational environment that respects the rights of individuals.
| University Documents | Other Documents |
|
Campus Code of Conduct Campus Life Buiding Coordinator Policy Residence Hall Director and Faculty-In-Residence Residency Guidelines & Expectations Regarding Pets University Policy 2.4, Health and Safety |
Americans with Disabilities Act Local Leash Laws Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
|
Direct any general questions about University Policy 2.8, Pets on Campus, to
your unit's administrative office. If you have questions about specific issues,
contact the following offices:
| Subject | Contact | Telephone |
|
Damage to University Facilities |
Department of Building Care | (607) 255-1300 |
| Damage to University Grounds | Department of Grounds | (607) 255-1661 |
| Emergencies and Other Immediate Assistance | Cornell Police | 911 from a campus
telephone (607) 255-1111 |
| Guide Dogs and Other Services Animals | Student Disability Services | (607) 254-4545 |
| Health and Safety | Department of Environmental Health and Safety | (607) 255-8200 |
| Local Leash Laws | Cornell Police | (607) 255-1111 |
| Nuisance Complaints |
Cornell Police Tompkins County SPCA |
(607) 255-1111 (607) 257-1822 |
| Research Animals | Cornell Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (CIACUC) | (607) 255-2865 |
| Residence Halls, Residence Hall Directors, Faculty-In-Residence | Community Development, Campus Life | (607) 255-5533 |
These definitions apply to these terms as they are used in this policy.
| Attended and Restrained | In the immediate vicinity of an owner, and either on a leash of six feet or shorter, in a cage, or, in the case of a certified Service Animal, voice-controlled. To be considered attended, an animal may not be left fastened to a stationary object. |
| Research and Teaching Animals | Animals that are officially part of Cornell's teaching, research, and/or clinical programs. |
| Service Animal | A guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items. |
| University-controlled Property | Property that is owned, operated, or maintained by the university. This does not include fraternity housing, sorority housing, and other space owned by Cornell that is leased to other entities and not controlled by the university. |
The university prohibits individuals from bringing dogs or other pets inside any university-controlled buildings, except for those animals that are exempted from this policy. In addition, while on university-controlled property, animals must be attended and restrained at all times.
Pets, both running free and brought to campus, pose a significant liability risk to the university and its community members. This policy standardizes the university's position on the management of animals.
Health and Safety of the University Community
Pets can pose a threat to the health and safety of the campus community, as well as to a healthful educational environment (through allergy, excessive noise, animal bites, and disease transmission via fleas, ticks, parasites, viruses, bacteria, etc.). Individuals with disabilities are at particular risk. For instance, dogs running freely pose a particular hazard to individuals using service animals.
Damage to Property
Pets on campus can be very destructive, causing damage to grounds, buildings, and property.
This policy applies to all university-controlled grounds and spaces. This includes, but is not limited to, residence halls, cooperative and other small living units, academic buildings, administrative offices, outdoor spaces on campus, and off-campus locations (such as the "Monkey Run" area).
Note: Individual entities may have more restrictive policies.
This policy applies to all animals, unless specifically exempted herein (see the "Exempted Animals" segment of this document, below).
Because of the varied responsibilities surrounding this subject, three offices have been named "Responsible Offices" for this policy. Their responsibilities are:
- for medical and other emergencies, and matters of campus and other laws and regulations, the Cornell Police;
- for environmental issues, and those surrounding the health and safety of the university community, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety;
- for issues surrounding guide dogs and other service animals, the Office of Student Disability Services
The following animals are permitted on university-controlled property:
- service animals while performing their duties (owners must properly dispose of their service animals' waste);
- research, clinical, and teaching animals (used directly in support of the university's missions of research and teaching);
- animals-in-training participating in Cornell's approved programs;
- pets in Residence Hall Director (RHD) or Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) apartments, according to "RHD and FIR Residency Guidelines & Expectations Regarding Pets" (Note: some restrictions and specific apartment inspection[s] may apply);
- fish in containers of ten gallons or less, at the discretion of the building coordinator;
- on-duty police dogs.
In addition, one-time exemptions may be granted for events involving animals. To be granted such an exemption, an individual must make a specific request through the Use of University Property Form. The form is available only on line, at [http://www.activities.cornell.edu/eventreg/]. Note: Service-animals-in-training that are not part of Cornell's approved program are subject to the restrictions in this policy.
Effective academic year 2001, and with the exception of Ecology House, pets are not permitted in residence halls. However, fish in aquariums of ten gallons or smaller are permissible. For more information, contact Community Development and the Housing Office, in the Division of Campus Life.
Violation of these regulations may result in confiscation of the pet, as well as administrative and/or disciplinary action to the owner.
Unattended or Unrestrained Animals
When a Cornell Police officer observes or becomes aware of an unrestrained or unattended animal, a reasonable attempt will be made to locate the animal's owner. If the owner is located, the officer may issue a ticket for the infraction. When appropriate, other disciplinary measures may be invoked. If attempts to find the animal's owner are unsuccessful, the officer will contact the Tompkins County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which will remove the animal from university property.
Damage to Property
The university will seek restitution for any animal-related damage to university-controlled property, facilities, or grounds. The repair or replacement cost of damaged property is the sole responsibility of the owner of the animal that caused the damage.
For Immediate Assistance
Where there is clear and immediate danger to person or property, contact the Cornell Police at 5-1111 (or 911 from a campus telephone).
To Report a Violation
1. To report an animal that is loose or unattended, contact the Cornell Police at 5-1111, or the building coordinator.
2. To report chronic violation of this policy in a university-controlled building, contact the building coordinator, who will contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
Animal Bites and Attacks
To report an animal bite, contact the Cornell Police at 5-1111 (or 911 from a campus telephone).
The major responsibilities each party has in connection with the University Policy 2.8, Pets on Campus, are as follows:
| Building Coordinator | Coordinate specific actions related to unauthorized animals in the buildings for which he or she is responsible. |
| Cornell Police |
Coordinate emergency response and law enforcement services. |
| Dean, Director, or Department Head |
Communicate this policy to faculty, staff, and students. Monitor compliance with University Policy 2.8, Pets on Campus. |
| Department of Environmental Health and Safety | Work with the Cornell Police, the Office of Student Disability Services, and other service agencies to assist with the interpretation and enforcement of this policy. |
| Office of Student Disability Services |
As necessary, advise and assist the other Responsible Offices in the administration of this policy. Provide information to the university community regarding guide dogs and other service animals. |
| Pet Owner |
Refrain from bringing animals into university-controlled buildings, except as specifically exempted by this policy. Keep animals on campus attended and restrained at all times. |