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Animals on University Premises Policy

This is not a current document. It has been repealed and is no longer in force.

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This document sets out Charles Sturt University's policy on live animals on the University premises.

(2) The objectives of this Policy are for the the University to:

  1. recognise that as an accredited animal research establishment, the the University is subject to a number of statutes governing the use and care of animals for research and teaching purposes Under these statutes the the University is responsible for the animals' welfare and standard of care.
  2. recognise that animals can and do present a risk to the health and safety of individuals who attend its campuses and to those animals kept for research and teaching purposes Some animals have the potential to inflict harm, pose a potential threat in the capacity to contribute to accidents, spread disease and/or cause allergic reactions.
  3. protect the natural flora and fauna on the University Premises.
  4. ensure the protection of animals duly authorised to be on the University Premises.
  5. ensure adherence to the the University's Bio-security requirements.

(3) In light of these concerns, the the University has adopted strategies to reduce and manage the risk that animals present, as set out in this Policy.

Scope

(4) This Policy is only applicable to Australian premises of the the University.

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Section 2 - Glossary

(5) In this Policy, unless the contrary intention appears:

  1. Assistance animal means an animal referred to in section 9 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 of the Commonwealth (Disability discrimination - guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs and trained animals).
  2. Authorised Livestock Contractor is a third party contractor engaged to carry out livestock husbandry in stockyards at the University Enterprises, such as the the University farms. Husbandry may include such things as pregnancy diagnosis of sheep/cattle, shearing of sheep and animal foot inspections.
  3. Campus Security Officer refers to any person engaged by the the University (either as staff or third party contractors) to provide security services and animal control functions in relation to the University Premises.
  4. Dangerous dog refers to any dog that has, without provocation:
    1. attacked or killed an animal or person
    2. repeatedly threatened to attack an animal or person
    3. repeatedly chased an animal or person
    4. any dog that has been declared dangerous by a council or a court.
  5. Natural fauna refers to animals that are native to the the University's Premises or surrounding environs.
  6. Restricted dog refers to dogs that are currently on the prohibited list of importations to Australia and the full or cross-bred off-spring of those dog breeds listed including, but not limited to:
    1. American Pit Bull Terriers or Pit Bull Terriers
    2. Japanese Tosas
    3. Dogo Argentino (Argentinean Fighting Dogs)
    4. Fila Brasiliero (Brazilian Fighting Dogs).
  7. the University Premises includes any land which is owned, controlled, managed or occupied by the the University together with any building, construction or facility of any kind (whether permanent or temporary) on that land and also includes any other building, construction or facility which is under the control, management or occupation by the the University.
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Section 3 - Policy

Prohibition

(6) To protect the health and safety of individuals who attend the University Premises and to guard the welfare of animals retained by the the University for research and teaching purposes, no animal is to be brought or kept on the University Premises at any time, unless that animal is covered by a current exemption in accordance with this Policy.

(7) The the University reserves the right to:

  1. remove any individual from the University Premises for failure to comply with its policies or the reasonable directions of its employees
  2. detain any animal found on its premises in breach of this Policy and, if appropriate, to hand such animals over to the appropriate external authorities
  3. call in a Council Ranger or deliver animals to the local Council pound.

(8) Staff and students must not feed native, feral or stray animals. Notification of the presence of feral or stray animals on campus is to be made to the Division of Facilities Management.

Exemptions

(9) Applications for an animal to be exempt from Prohibition (clauses 6 to 8) must be made to the Executive Director, Division of Facilities Management or their nominee who will consult with the the University's Animal Care and Ethics Committee.

(10) The Executive Director, Division of Facilities Management must determine the application for exemption having regard to this Policy and require additional information if they see fit.

(11) Applications for exemption must be submitted in writing a minimum of two weeks prior to the date when the animal is to be on campus.

(12) If so granted, the exemption must be in writing.

(13) The decision of the Executive Director, Division of Facilities Management is final.

(14) Natural fauna are exempt from this Policy.

(15) The the University may grant specific exemptions to the general prohibition detailed in clause 6. Where an exemption is granted, the person bringing the animal onto the University Premises must ensure that they:

  1. keep the animal restrained and under effective control at all times
  2. remove any faeces deposited by the animal, having due regard for health and safety and environmental protection
  3. comply with all provisions applicable to the granting of the exemption
  4. comply with any statutes or regulation governing the management of the animal (e.g. State or Local Council regulations governing the control of pets and animals in Public places)
  5. ensure that the animal is free from infectious disease
  6. ensure that the animal at all times shows no signs of endangering people's health or the health of other animals.

(16) The the University reserves the right to amend and/or revoke exemptions to address changing circumstances and/or failure to comply with the conditions of the exemption.

Standing Exemption

(17) Under a standing exemption, an animal may be brought or kept on the University Premises at any time to perform the activities for which the exemption has been granted.

(18) Where the the University grants an animal a standing exemption, a description of the animal as well as the details and extent of its exemption will be added to the list contained under clause 19.

(19) The the University has granted a standing exemption to:

  1. accredited assistance animals when accompanying a person with a visual, hearing or other disability;
  2. Greater Southern Area Health Service accredited therapy dogs;
  3. Australian Defence Force dogs, when being used by and under the control of the Australian Defence Force Officers in the performance of their official duties;
  4. police dogs, when being used by and under the control of NSW or Federal Police Officers in the performance of their official duties;
  5. search and rescue dogs, when being used by and under the control of official rescue services officers in the performance of their official duties;
  6. security dogs, used by and under the control of Campus Security Officers;
  7. working dogs, used by and under the control of the University farm staff or authorised livestock contractors;
  8. other animals used by the the University for research and teaching purposes, subject to the approval of the the University's Animal Care and Ethics Committee;
  9. animals under effective control, that are being transported to and from the the University's Veterinary, Animal Science or Equine facilities;
  10. animals that are on agistment;
  11. animals associated with the University Enterprises, for example the University farms, in conducting their usual business;
  12. pet dogs, that are of approved breeds, are on leads and under control in areas away from residential accommodation and other buildings;
  13. horses under control away from residential accommodation, sporting ovals or other areas in which they will cause damage to the ground.

Temporary Exemptions

(20) Under a temporary (short-term) exemption, animals may be brought onto the University Premises for a limited period of time. The the University may grant a temporary exemption for the general prohibition contained in clause 6 where it deems that an exemption is necessary to support the the University's business objectives and/or fulfil the the University's mission or where it deems that the animal poses no risk to the fulfilment of the the University's obligations as an organisation or accredited animal research establishment.

(21) Where an animal is used for certain educational activities (e.g. open day, external course activities etc.) temporary exemption is subject to approval by the Animal Care and Ethics Committee in accordance with their procedures and terms of reference. Where a non-research/teaching animal is used the Manager, Campus Services may, having due regard for the purpose and intent of this Policy, approve a temporary exemption.

Identification of animals and proof of exemption

(22) An officer of the the University may lawfully require a person to provide evidence that an animal's presence on the University Premises is in accordance with this Policy.

Sheep and Cattle being brought onto the University Premises

(23) Anyone wishing to bring sheep or cattle onto the the University farm land or associated areas must make prior application to the Farm Management Bio-Security Sub-Committee. This excludes sheep and cattle that are being transported directly to the the University's Veterinary facilities. Enquiries should be directed to the Farm Manager or the Manager, Campus Services at the relevant campus.

Handling Animals Found on the University Premises

(24) The Division of Facilities Management should be contacted to respond to issues of animals on the University Premises. Individuals are expected to take appropriate precautions to ensure that they do not place themselves or others at risk by handling animals found on the University Premises.

(25) The Division of Facilities Management has the authority to engage local Council Rangers or other approved persons to deal with and/ or remove non approved animals from the University Premises. In the event that the the University incurs cost as a result of any actions duly undertaken in accordance with this clause, such costs shall be a debt to the the University due and payable by the animal's owner.

(26) The the University has the authority to deal with or remove feral animals from the University Premises. Removal methods will follow accepted community standards which may include best farming practices, local Council Rangers or other approved persons including a Veterinary practitioner.

(27) Officers of the the University will handle animals in established and humane ways in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act NSW 1979.

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Section 4 - Procedures

(28) Nil.

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Section 5 - Guidelines

(29) Nil.