• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Part A - General Prohibition
• Part B - Exemptions
• Standing Exemptions
• Temporary Exemptions
• Part C - Handling Animals Found on University Premises
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Part D - Exemption Procedures
• Applying for an Exemption
• Approval of Exemptions
• Exercising an Exemption
• Part E - Animal Handling Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) 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. Under these statutes the University is responsible for the animals' welfare and standard of care.

(2) The University also acknowledges that it has an obligation to protect native fauna that utilise our campuses as an extension of their habitat.

(3) The University recognises 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 (i.e. attack) and the vast majority pose a potential threat in terms of their capacity to contribute to accidents, spread disease and/or cause allergic reactions. 

(4) This Policy provides the University's strategies to reduce and manage the risk that animals present.

(5) The Policy applies to all individuals and groups, whenever they are on University premises.

Section 2 - Definitions

(6) For the purpose of this policy, definitions that apply can be found in the Policy DDS Glossary and the following:

1. Assistance Animal means an animal referred to in section 9 (Disability discrimination - guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs and trained animals) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) of the Commonwealth.
2. 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 or
   4. any dog that has been declared dangerous by a council or a court.
3. Native Fauna refers to animals that are native to Australia and are not brought to or kept on University premises.
4. 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)
   5. Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

Part A - General Prohibition

(7) To protect the health and safety of individuals who attend the University's premises and to guard the welfare of animals retained by the University for research and teaching purposes or native fauna, 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 Part B of this policy.

(8) 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 and
2. detain any animal found on its premises in breach of this policy and, if appropriate, to hand such animals over to appropriate external authorities.

Part B - Exemptions

(9) Native fauna are automatically exempt.

(10) Where an exemption is granted, the person bringing the animal onto the University's premises must ensure that they:

1. keep the animal restrained and under effective control at all times while on University premises
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 grant of the exemption and
4. comply with any statutes or regulations governing the management of the animal (e.g., council regulations governing the control of restricted breeds of dogs).

(11) 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 Exemptions

(12) 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.

(13) 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 recorded.

(14) Standing exemptions apply to:

1. assistance animals, when accompanying a person with a visual, hearing or other disability
2. Western Sydney Area Health Service accredited therapy dogs
3. Australian Defence Force dogs, when being used by and under the control of 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 University security services
7. livestock owned by and under the control of the University farm
8. working dogs, used by and under the control of University farm staff and
9. other animals kept by the University for research and teaching purposes, subject to the approval of the University's Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC).

(15) The Vice-President, Infrastructure and Commercial grants, amends or revokes a standing exemption.

(16) Anyone seeking to add to or amend standing exemptions must submit a written application to the Vice-President, Infrastructure and Commercial. The application must clearly state the purpose and extent of the exemption.

(17) The Vice-President, Infrastructure and Commercial may approve the University's participation in discrete community-based campaigns that promote pets accompanying students and staff on to campus. When approved, students and staff may bring to campus domestic pets of the type contemplated in the approved campaign, taking reasonable precautions to ensure the pets are:

1. contained within buildings and open areas
2. do not access research sensitive areas and
3. comply with the general requirements of this policy.

Temporary Exemptions

(18) 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 where it deems that an exemption is necessary to support the University's business objectives and/or fulfil the University's mission or where it deems that the animal poses no risk to the fulfilment of the University's obligations as an organisation or accredited animal research establishment.

(19) 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 ACEC. Where a non-research/teaching animal is used, the Director, Campus Safety and Security may, having due regard for the purpose and intent of this Policy, approve a temporary exemption. (Refer to Section 4).

Part C - Handling Animals Found on University Premises

(20) Animals found or injured on University premises must be handled as per Part E and ensuring individuals do not place themselves or others at risk.

Section 4 - Procedures

Part D - Exemption Procedures

Applying for an Exemption

(21) Applications for a new Standing Exemption must be submitted in writing to the Vice-President, Infrastructure and Commercial.

(22) Applications for a Temporary Exemption must be submitted in writing to the ACEC or the Director, Campus Safety and Security.

(23) All applications for exemption must clearly state:

1. the name and contact details of the applicant
2. the name and contact details of the person or persons who will be in charge of the animal while on campus
3. the numbers of animals for which exemption is being sought
4. a description of the animal or animals to be covered by the exemption
5. the purpose and extent of the exemption being sought
6. the period for which the exemption is requested
7. the nature and type of activities to be undertaken and
8. the duration of the activity (i.e., expected arrival and departure times).

(24) Where the exemption relates to an animal being used for educational purposes, the applicant must also complete and submit an ACEC application clearly stating:

1. the location of the activity
2. how the animal will be monitored during the activity, including:
   1. how often it will be checked
   2. how emergencies will be managed
   3. the name of the person or persons who will be responsible for these tasks and
3. the name of the person or persons responsible for coordinating the activity (internal and external) and their contact details for the day; noting that:
   1. the internal staff member must be on campus for the duration of the activity to ensure emergencies or adverse events are appropriately managed. It is the responsibility of the external applicant to ensure that the required permits (Security) are obtained and the activity has adequate insurance cover (check with Accountant, Tax and Insurance).

(25) Exemptions are not automatically granted on submission of an application and applicants must wait until they have written confirmation that an exemption has been granted prior to bringing an animal on campus. Accordingly, applications should be lodged as early as possible to allow time for processing as follows:

1. Applications involving animals to be used for research/teaching must be submitted to the ACEC. The application must be submitted in time to meet the committee's agenda closing dates (refer to the ACEC Terms of Reference and Meeting Dates web page.
2. Applications involving non-research/teaching animals must be submitted to the Vice-President, Infrastructure and Commercial or Director, Campus Safety and Security. The application should be submitted at least four weeks in advance of the date on which the exemption is sought to commence.

Approval of Exemptions

(26) The Vice-President, Infrastructure and Commercial, ACEC or the Director, Campus Safety and Security will consider applications for exemption.

(27) The Vice-President, Infrastructure and Commercial, ACEC or Director, Campus Safety and Security will notify applicants of their decision regarding exemptions in writing. Where an exemption is granted, the written notification will detail any additional conditions applicable to the exemption and state the period for which the exemption will apply.

Exercising an Exemption

(28) Whenever on campus under a temporary exemption, the person in control of the animal must:

1. have the written exemption approval notification in their possession and
2. present the exemption approval notification to the relevant Campus Security Officer upon request.

(29) The person in control of the animal is responsible for removing any faeces deposited by the animal. The minimum acceptable action in this regard is that the individual collect, bag and deposit the faeces in an appropriate general waste disposal bin. Faeces are not to be deposited in paper or other recycle bins.

Part E - Animal Handling Procedures

(30) When an animal is found on University premises and is without its controller, unrestrained or violent, or where natural fauna is considered to present a risk to safety or is injured, Campus Safety and Security must be notified immediately.

(31) Notification must include:

1. a description of the animal
2. details of the animal's location
3. direction of travel (if the animal is on the move) and
4. any other pertinent information.

(32) With the exception of the animal's owner, controller or an expert handler called in to provide assistance, no individual is to attempt to handle any:

1. snake
2. nesting and/or aggressive birds
3. injured native fauna
4. livestock
5. dangerous or restricted dogs
6. animal that has been involved in an attack on an animal or person
7. animal that has demonstrated menacing behaviour
8. animal that presents an unknown risk (i.e., the individual has insufficient knowledge, experience or information to make an informed evaluation) and/or
9. animal they lack the confidence and/or expertise to handle safely.

(33) Having reported the presence of the animal on campus, individuals should attempt to keep track of the animal until Campus Safety and Security arrives. In tracking the animal, individuals should not place themselves or others at risk.

(34) Where handling of the animal is not prohibited and the individual is comfortable doing so, they may detain the animal until a Campus Security Officer arrives.

(35) Campus Safety and Security will evaluate the situation and make appropriate arrangements for the capture, detainment and/or removal of the animal. Such arrangements will include the engagement of expert assistance in the capture, detainment and removal of those animals.

(36) Campus Safety and Security will also determine whether the animal is permitted on University premises under a current exemption and establish whether the conditions of the exemption are being adhered to. Where a breach has occurred, Campus Safety and Security will issue further instructions and/or initiate further action in accordance with this Policy.

(37) Where the animal's owner/controller is not present, Campus Safety and Security may:

1. detain the animal or
2. seek expert assistance to safely capture and remove the animal from University premises.

(38) The mechanism (e.g., collar, leash, pen or cage) used to detain the animal must be suited to the animal and be unlikely to cause the animal any harm.

(39) Where Campus Safety and Security detain an animal, they will provide it with water only and:

1. attempt to identify and alert the owner and make arrangements for the animal to be collected and removed from the campus or
2. where the owner cannot be identified or contacted, alert the relevant authorities and request that an appropriate animal control officer collect and impound the animal.

(40) Where an animal has been collected by an animal control officer, the animal's owner will be responsible for retrieving the animal from the relevant authority and for any costs associated with the animal's detainment by that authority.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(41) Helpful information and advice for bringing a pet on to campus is available at RSPCA knowledge base.