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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 It has been repealed and is no longer in force.

This document is rescinded from 28 January 2022. It is replaced by the Facilities and Premises Policy and Facilities and Premises Procedure - Access, Use and Security.

Section 1 - Purpose

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

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

  1. recognise that as an accredited animal research establishment, the University is subject to a number of statutes governing the use and care of animals for research and teaching purposes and that, under these statutes, 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 and that, 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 University premises;
  4. ensure the protection of animals duly authorised to be on University premises; and
  5. ensure adherence to the University's bio-security requirements.

(3) In light of these concerns, 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 applicable to all staff, students, contractors and visitors on University premises.

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Section 2 - Glossary

(5) For the purpose of this policy:

  1. Assistance animal - means an animal referred to in section 9 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Disability discrimination - guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs and trained animals).
  2. Authorised livestock contractor - refers to a third party contractor engaged to carry out livestock husbandry in stockyards at University enterprises, such as 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 University, either as staff or third-party contractors, to provide security services and animal control functions in relation to 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; and/or
    4. any dog that has been declared dangerous by a local government area council or an Australian legal court, as described by the Office of Local Government’s ‘Declared dangerous and menacing dogs’. 
  5. Livestock – refers to domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce labour and commodities such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, jewellery and wool. The term is sometimes used to refer solely to those that are bred for consumption, while other times it refers only to farmed ruminants, such as cattle and goats.
  6. Natural fauna - refers to animals that are native to the University's premises or surrounding environs.
  7. Restricted dog - means restricted dog as per section 55 of the Companion Animals Act 1998 and includes, but is not limited to:
    1. American Pit Bull Terriers or Pit Bull Terriers;
    2. Japanese Tosas;
    3. Dogo Argentino;
    4. Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario;
    5. Fila Brasiliero;
    6. any other dog of a breed, kind or description whose importation into Australia is prohibited by or under the Customs Act 1901 of the Commonwealth; or
    7. any dog declared by an authorised officer of a council under Division 6 of the Companion Animals Act 1998 to be a restricted dog.
    8. any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section. 
  8. University premises - includes any land which is owned, controlled, managed or occupied by 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 University.
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Section 3 - Policy

Prohibition

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

(7) The University reserves the right to:

  1. remove any individual from 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; and/or
  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.

(9) The University reserves the right to establish specific identified areas within University premises that prohibit any, some or all animals, for specific purposes or events as part of its business or operation. Notice of these areas will be made clear to all people on University premises.

(10) Bees are only permitted to be kept on University premises with the written approval of exemption by the Executive Director, Division of Facilities Management.

Exemptions

(11) Applications for exemption of prohibition for an animal must be made to the Executive Director, Division of Facilities Management or their nominee.

(12) 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.

(13) 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.

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

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

(16) Native fauna are exempt from this policy.

(17) 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 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; and
  6. ensure that the animal at all times shows no signs of endangering people's health or the health of other animals.

(18) 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

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

(20) Where 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 21.

(21) The University has granted a standing exemption to:

  1. accredited assistance animals when accompanying a person with a visual, hearing or other disability;
  2. 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 University farm staff or authorised livestock contractors;
  8. other animals used by the University for research and teaching purposes, subject to the approval of the University's Animal Care and Ethics Committee;
  9. animals under effective control, that are being transported to and from the University's veterinary, animal science or equine facilities;
  10. pet dogs of managers of residential colleges in their private residence yards;
  11. animals that are boarding or on agistment;
  12. animals associated with University enterprises, for example, University farms, in conducting their usual business;
  13. pet dogs, that are not a dangerous or a restricted dog and are on leads and under control in areas away from residential accommodation and other buildings;
  14. horses under control away from residential accommodation, sporting ovals or other areas in which they will cause damage to the ground; and
  15. fish contained in a suitable tank of an appropriate size situated in a location which does not pose potential harm to persons or property, and which has been approved by the manager or supervisor of the area in which the tank is kept.

(22) While an exemption may be granted, access to a restricted area is not permitted without the written approval of that area. Approval of the restricted area will be determined by that area’s guidelines and compliance requirements. These areas include, but are not limited to:

  1. residences;
  2. food preparation or serving areas;
  3. laboratories;
  4. biosecurity areas and;
  5. other access controlled areas

(23) Any animals used for teaching or research in any manner requires the approval of the Animal Care and Ethics Committee.

Temporary exemptions

(24) Under a temporary (short-term) exemption, animals may be brought onto University premises for a limited period of time. The University may grant a temporary exemption for the general prohibition contained in clause 6 where it deems that:

  1.  an exemption is necessary to support the University's business objectives and/or fulfil the University's mission; or 
  2. the animal poses no risk to the fulfilment of the University's obligations as an organisation or accredited animal research establishment.

(25) Where an animal is used for certain educational activities, (for example, an open day, or external course activities), temporary exemption is subject to approval by the Animal Care and Ethics Committee in accordance with its 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

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

Livestock being brought onto University premises

(27) Anyone wishing to bring livestock onto the University farmland or associated University areas must gain prior approval from the Manager, University Farms and/or the Manager, Campus Services at the relevant campus.

Handling animals found on University premises

(28) The Division of Facilities Management must be contacted to respond to issues of animals on 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 University premises.

(29) 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 University premises. In the event that 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 University due and payable by the animal's owner.

(30) The University has the authority to deal with or remove feral animals from 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.

(31) Officers of the University will handle animals in established and humane ways in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 No 200.

Breach of discipline or code of conduct

(32) Staff or students who fail to comply with this policy or mistreat any animal on a University premise shall be deemed to have committed a breach of discipline or misconduct under the relevant University policy, in particular, the Staff Code of Conduct and Student Misconduct Rule 2020.

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Section 4 - Procedures

(33) Nil.

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Section 5 - Guidelines

(34) Nil.