UCLA

I.  PURPOSE & SCOPE

To protect public health and safety, UCLA regulates the types of animals allowed on University Property. State and local regulations provide the basis for University policies intended to protect the campus community from potential health and safety hazards posed by animals brought to campus.

The purpose of this Policy is to maintain campus health, safety, and security standards relative to animals allowed on University Property; outline services for members of the campus community seeking accommodations involving Service and Assistance Animals; and identify the distinction between those animals permitted on and those excluded from University Property. This Policy does not apply to animals in research, teaching, and testing (see UCLA Policy 990), or police dogs.

This Policy supplements and does not replace other applicable federal, State, and local laws governing the presence of animals on public property or in eating establishments.

II.  DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Policy:

Assistance Animal is a category of animals that may work, provide assistance, or perform physical tasks, for an individual with a disability. Assistance Animals are not trained to perform specific tasks directly related to an individual’s disability; instead, the animal’s owner derives a sense of well-being, safety, calm, or comfort from the animal’s companionship and presence. Assistance Animals may provide necessary emotional support to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability, but are not considered a Service Animal under the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA). Assistance Animals can also be identified as a companion animal, therapy animal, or emotional support or support animal.

Pet means a domestic animal, sufficiently tamed to live with an individual(s) and is kept and cared for as a companion.

Service Animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained or being individually trained, to do work or perform a task for an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by the Service Animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. This does not include: 1) non-dog animals, except miniature horses; 2) animals that solely serve to deter crime; and 3) Assistance Animals.

University Property refers to the grounds and buildings of UCLA campus and off-campus buildings owned or leased by, operated by, or under the control of the University.

III.  POLICY STATEMENT

An individual who is either visiting or residing on campus and who wants to bring an animal to campus, is to be mindful that the animal may constitute a hazard to others, especially in confined or closed spaces. Such threats may include but are not limited to, allergies, exacerbation of specific phobias, falls, increased risk of disease, and bites. In addition, the presence of an animal in certain areas may distract or interrupt activities or may create a nuisance, including the nuisance caused by animal waste, noise, or damage to property.

An individual who brings an animal onto University Property is responsible for supervising the animal at all times and the animal owner will be liable for any injury or damage the animal causes while on University Property (See California Civil Code § 3342(a)).

As an open campus with grounds accessible by the general public, the University cannot and does not know the propensities of individual animals on campus. Individuals entering University Property may encounter Service Animals or other animals and are on notice of the risk of injury from intentional or inadvertent contact with animals. The University is not responsible for such interactions.

A.  Types of Animals and Restrictions

As permitted by this Policy and law, the following types of animals are permitted on University Property:

1.  Pets

A Pet dog is allowed on most outdoor public areas of University Property only if the Pet dog is under the control of a competent person and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length.

Note: Certain outdoor campus venues may not allow Pets and/or have additional restrictions.

A Pet dog or other Pet animal (leashed or otherwise) is not permitted in any campus building or campus transportation vehicle (Campus Shuttle, Fleet vehicles, etc.) at any time. Exceptions are provided for a) the Chancellor’s residence, b) UCLA employees required to live in University owned housing, and c) Park Wilshire faculty residents only, who must abide by the homeowners association CC&Rs (see Faculty Housing Resources).

2.  Service Animals

A Service Animal is typically permitted in areas where Pets and Assistance Animals are not otherwise allowed (e.g. classrooms, University housing, restaurants, and other public buildings), as long as the animal is under the control of their owner at all times and does not cause a threat to the health and safety of others.

UCLA may impose legitimate safety requirements on the use or presence of a Service Animal that are necessary for safe operation of its facilities. There are some facilities that are not safe for use or presence of a Service Animal and from which UCLA may exclude a Service Animal based on actual risks. Laboratories, research facilities, and food preparation locations are examples of areas where a Service Animal may pose a substantial and direct threat to health and safety. As a result, requests in these areas will require an individualized assessment that is determined on a case-by case basis (see section III C.1).

An animal that has been individually trained as a Service Animal and an animal in the process of being individually trained as a Service Animal, are both considered Service Animals for the purposes of this Policy.

Requests for an animal to be permitted on University Property for the purposes of individual training as a Service Animal will be equally considered through the same procedures outlined in section III C.1. An animal permitted on University Property for the purposes of training as a Service Animal will be subject to the behavioral expectations as outlined in this Policy.

3.  Assistance Animals

An Assistance Animal may be permitted in University housing and employee work areas if UCLA has granted the individual’s accommodation request per the procedures outlined in section III.C.2; all other campus buildings and campus transportation vehicles are prohibited, unless an exception was granted by the appropriate department (see section III.C.2).

4.  University Programs, Activities, and Events Involving Animals   

Any University program, activity, or event involving animals on University Property must be reviewed and approved prior to bringing the animal on University Property by the Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) in conjunction with the Campus Fire Marshal at 310-825-5689.

B.  Requirements of All Individuals with Animals on University Property

Individuals bringing any type of animal on University Property must adhere to this Policy, applicable provisions of the City of Los Angeles Municipal Code concerning the restraint of dogs (leash laws), related statutes of the State of California Penal Code (animal cruelty and rights of the disabled), Code of Federal Regulations, University of California and UCLA policies concerning the use of University facilities and any other applicable laws or regulations, including the following requirements:

• Any animal must be under the control of the individual at all times and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length
• Animals will not be confined in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.
• Any dog or other animal cannot be tethered unattended on University Property for any period of time.
• Any dog or other animal will not be abandoned on University Property. Abandonment of any animal anywhere is a cruel and illegal act under California’s anti-cruelty statutes.
• Animals being individually trained as Service Animals must be under the control of their trainer at all times.
• A valid dog license tag from a County as evidence of current rabies vaccinations must be worn at all times by any dog on campus.
• Any animal must be free from offensive odors and display behavior appropriate for the environment. Appropriate behavior will vary depending on time, place, and, for a Service Animal, the task(s) the animal is trained or being trained to perform, but does not extend to excessive barking, growling, charging, or jumping up on people.
• Any animal must not engage in behavior that endangers the health and safety of others.
• Owners are responsible for disposing any fecal waste left by their animal on University Property.
• Any dog or animal on campus in violation of this Policy may be subject to apprehension and impounding by the Los Angeles City or County department of animal control. Owners of impounded animals are responsible for any fees or fines that may be assessed by the city or county.

C.    Services for Individuals with Disabilities

UCLA is committed to maintaining a campus that is open and accessible to all its community members. The following campus departments are responsible for overseeing and coordinating accommodations involving Service and Assistance Animals:

1.  Individuals with Disabilities Utilizing Service Animals

When not readily apparent that an animal is a Service Animal, contact the appropriate office below for assistance.

Students with disabilities utilizing a Service Animal may contact the Center for Accessible Education (CAE) for assistance. Students requesting to bring a Service Animal to a laboratory, research facility, food preparation area and/or University housing are required to submit a request through the CAE’s Apply for Accommodations and/or Housing Accommodations sites. For further inquiries, visit CAE or contact 310-825-1501.

Students enrolled at UCLA Extension utilizing a Service Animal may contact the UNEX Office of Disability Services at 310- 825-7851 or visit the UNEX website.

Employees (academic and staff employees), with disabilities utilizing Service Animals may contact the Employee Disability Management Services (EDMS) at 310-794-6948. EDMS may then communicate with the applicable campus department/supervisor regarding the employee’s accommodation related needs.

Faculty in University Housing utilizing a Service Animal are to refer to the University Apartments handbook for information.

For UCLA Health System, employees and visitors utilizing a Service Animal in UCLA Health facilities, refer to the UCLA Hospital System Policy HS 1332 on Service Animals and Pets or call 213-794-3500 or 310-794-3138.

Visitors with questions or concerns pertaining to a Service Animal on University Property, may contact the Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) at 310-825-5689.

2.  Individuals with Disabilities Utilizing Assistance Animals

When not readily apparent that an animal is an Assistance Animal, contact the appropriate office below for assistance.

Students with disabilities utilizing an Assistance Animal are required to complete the following process:

i.  To request accommodations regarding use of an Assistance Animal in University Housing, an application must be submitted to the Housing Accommodations Board. For further inquiries, visit the CAE Housing Accommodations website or contact 310-825-1501.

ii.  To request accommodations regarding use of an Assistance Animal in academic settings, submit a request through CAE’s Apply for Accommodations and if approved CAE will communicate with the appropriate department/faculty regarding the student’s accommodation-related needs.

iii.  For a student enrolled at UCLA Extension to request accommodations regarding use of an Assistance Animal, submit a request to the Office of Disability Services at ods@unex.ucla.edu. For further information, including accommodations request forms, visit the UNEX Accessibility and Disability Services website or call 310-825-7851.

Employees (academic and staff employees) with a disability requesting accommodations through use of an Assistance Animal are required to contact EDMS at 310-794-6948. EDMS will facilitate the interactive process for job accommodations with the employee and their department. Medical documentation will be required explaining why the employee requires an Assistance Animal in the workplace. Approval of the request for accommodation is determined via the interactive process.

Faculty in University Housing requesting accommodations through use of an Assistance Animal are to refer to the University Apartments handbook for information.

For UCLA Health System employees utilizing an Assistance Animal in UCLA Health, contact the UCLA Health Disability Management Team at 310-794-3036. For questions about animal therapy programs in UCLA Health, contact People Animal Connection at 310-267-8184. For non-employees, the UCLA Health System only supports Service Animals in UCLA Health Facilities, see HS Policy 1332 on Service Animals and Pets or call 213-794-3500 or 310-794-3138.

Visitors with questions or concerns pertaining to an Assistance Animal on University Property, may contact the Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) at 310-825-5689.

D.   Violations and Complaints

All academic and staff employees, students, and visitors are expected to abide by this Policy.  Academic and staff employees and students are encouraged to resolve perceived violations of this Policy locally whenever possible. When not readily apparent that an animal is a Service or Assistance Animal, contact the appropriate office in section III.C.

If there is a problem with a Pet, Service or Assistance Animal that cannot be resolved by applying this Policy, the following resources may be helpful:

• To report inappropriate behavior (e.g., excessive barking, foul odor, allergic reactions) of a Service or Assistance Animal in the workplace, contact EDMS at 310-794-6948.
• To report inappropriate behavior (e.g., excessive barking, foul odor, allergic reactions) of a student owned Service or Assistance Animal, contact CAE at 310-825-1501.
• To report inappropriate behavior (e.g., excessive barking, foul odor, allergic reactions) of an animal owned by a visitor or person whose UCLA status is unknown, regardless of perceived type of animal, contact EH&S at 310-825-5689.
• To report aggressive behavior by any animal on campus or to report circumstances that could reasonably cause suffering, disability, or death to an animal, contact UCPD at 310-825-1491.Individuals with a Service or Assistance Animal who feel they have been discriminated against based on a disability should consult with the ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer within the UCLA Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at WeListen@equity.ucla.edu or 310- 825-3935.  For more information, visit the EDI “Report an Incident” website or https://equity.ucla.edu/civil-rights/ada-504/.

• To report violations of this Policy anonymously, contact the Whistleblower Hotline at 800-403-4744 or http://universityofcalifornia.edu/hotline

IV.  REFERENCES

1.   City of Los Angeles Municipal Code § 53.06, 53.06.2.53.21- 24, 53.34, 53.34.1-2,53.49, 53.51, 53.70;

2.  California Health and Safety Code, § 121575 - 122335;

3.  State of California Penal Code § 365.5, 398,and 597s;

4.   California Code of Regulations § 7293.5, § 7293.6, § 7294.0 (e) and 2 CA ADC §11065-11073;

5.  Code of Federal Regulations § 3104, 35.136, 35.109;

6.  Food & Agriculture Code § 30850-30854;

7.  UCLA Regulations on Activities, Registered Campus Organizations, and Use of Properties;

8.  UCLA Office of Residential Life, On Campus Regulations;

9. University Apartments Handbook;

10.  UCLA Hospital System Policy 1332, Service Animals, and Pets;

11.  L.A. County Animal Care and Control (http://animalcare.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/acc/laws/);

12.  ADA FAQs (https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html).