Animals On Campus

1. All animals on College property, including open space, athletic fields, playing fields and intramural areas, must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered and under personal control of the owner at all times. Animals are not to be tied to or secured to trees, posts, shrubs and/or left unattended. Each owner is responsible for his/her animal, including clean-up.
2. To protect public health and safety, animals are not permitted in College buildings, subject to the following exceptions:
   1. A service animal assisting an individual with a disability;
      1. The service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. If it is not readily apparent what service an animal provides, the College may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform;
      2. The College may exclude a service animal if the animal poses a direct threat to the health, safety or property of others that cannot be reduced or eliminated by a reasonable accommodation; is out of control and the individual does not take effective action to control it; would disrupt the academic environment or pose a hazard to others; or is not being cared for the by the individual;
      3. The College is not responsible for the care or supervision of service animals. Individuals handling a service animal are responsible for the control of their animals at all times and for ensuring the immediate clean-up and proper disposal of all animal waste. Individuals must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including vaccination, licensure, animal health and leash laws;
      4. The College may impose charges for damages caused by a service animal in the same manner the College imposes charges for damages to property.
   2. Animals used as part of an academic, or college sponsored, program subject to prior approval by the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
3. Emotional support animals are not allowed on campus without prior approval. If an individual has a diagnosis that is included in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or Title II of the American with Disabilities Act, then the support animal will be considered in the request for accommodations that is coordinated by the Director of Student Access and Success or the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, whichever is applicable. Students must follow the accommodation request process.
4. All animals on Main Campus and/or any site owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College must have current vaccinations evidenced by a tag on the animal or a vaccination certificate in the immediate possession of the owner.
5. A control agency will be called to remove and impound disruptive, aggressive, unattended or at-large animals. All animals are subject to the Butler County Community College Ordinance No. 1 and applicable county and/or township codes regulating animals.

Complaints regarding a service animal belonging to a student and its behavior should be directed to the Dean of Students, who will contact the handler to review the policies regarding service animals and address the complaint. If the animal belongs to an employee of the College, concerns should be directed to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.

Students with allergic reactions to animals that rise to the level of a disability are encouraged to notify the Director of Student Access and Success to request accommodations. Employees are encouraged to contact the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer. The College will review the needs of both parties involved, on a case-by-case basis, in meeting its obligation to reasonably accommodate all disabilities and resolve the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible.