Principia College
Animal Relations Committee
Elsah, Illinois

ANIMAL RELATIONS POLICIES

Approved: June 26, 1996
Revised: October 28, 1998

The college administration has formed the Animal Relations Committee (ARC) for the following purposes.

1. To promote harmonious relationships between pet owners and non-pet owners.

2. To ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all community members.

3. To regulate the number, types, and activities of animals on campus and in any Principia college-owned housing.

Authority for resolving pet issues rests with the ARC. Any questions concerning pets, animals, or these policies should be addressed to the ARC for review.

1. The possession of a pet within college-owned housing is a privilege; not a right. Should at any time the ARC determines that such possession is not in the best interest of the pet or the community, this privilege may be revoked. All pet owners who reside in Principia college-owned housing are covered by these policies, and are responsible for being familiar with them.

2. Pet owners living in college-owned housing are required to register their pets with Community Safety within one week of arriving or obtaining an approved pet. Laws and registration requirements of the State of Illinois and Jersey County are expected to be followed. Copies of these laws are attached.

3. Members of the Principia College community who live in private, off-campus housing are not required to register their pets. However, their pets are subject to these policies when they are on college property.

4. The pets allowed within college-owned housing include dogs, cats, rabbits, caged animals, and aquatic pets. Animals determined by the ARC as inappropriate for a residence are not permitted.

5. Pets are not to be kept for the purpose of breeding. Pet owners are expected to take responsible measures in the prevention of litters.

6. Pet owners are responsible for the cost of damages caused by their pets and will be billed regardless of whether the damage is within their residence or to other portions of the campus grounds or buildings.

7. When a dog or cat is outdoors, that pet must have an identification tag with at least the owner’s name. Dogs or cats that cannot be identified and are found roaming on the campus will be detained by Community Safety for a period not to exceed forty-eight (48) hours. After that period, the animal will be taken to a local animal shelter. (See also Section D)

8. When dogs are taken outside, owners must maintain control of their dog. Dogs are never to be allowed to roam freely on the campus. If a dog is running without supervision or positive control, this will constitute a violation of these policies. To avoid a fine, the owner must notify Community Safety whenever their dog has escaped.

9. Selective Leash Policy: Walking dogs unleashed on campus is a privilege; not a right. Dogs must be under positive control. If a dog intimidates people, animals, or wildlife, the owner will be required to use a leash (not more than twelve [12] feet in length) while walking the dog.

10. Pets are not to be brought to work and are not allowed in any building on campus except the owner’s residence. Guide dogs are an exception to this policy.

11. Dogs may be tethered near academic buildings for up to one hour, as long as they are happy and calm. The animal needs to be on a short tether, out of reach of entrances, foot traffic, and flower beds.

12. Dog owners should be considerate of others when taking their dogs for walks. Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs have defecated anywhere in the central campus area, including athletic fields.

13. The continual violation or ignoring of these policies in all likelihood will lead to withdrawal of the privilege of having a pet on campus.

1. The following pet limits apply to Principia on-campus/off-campus housing:

Extra Small = 0-10

Small = 11-25

Medium = 26-50

Large = 51-100

Extra Large = 101-Over

2. Occupants are asked to use good judgment in having a pet. Large animals should not be kept in small houses or apartments.

3. Aquariums and small tanks are intended to house several fish or small animals; in this case, several pets in a small structure are allowed.

4. Pet owners must place a deposit against potential damage caused by a pet in their housing unit. This charge will appear on the person’s Principia monthly statement. Deposits will be refunded less any applicable charges due to damages. In the event that the cost of repairs due to pet damage exceeds the deposit, the occupant is responsible for all additional expenses which could amount to several thousand dollars. The deposit is $100.00 for each dog, cat, or rabbit.

5. Inspections of college-owned housing will take place before an occupant moves in and whenever an occupant moves out.

6. The owner of, or any person responsible for, a pet residing in a dormitory apartment is expected to make every reasonable effort to confine the pet within their immediate apartment and not allow it to roam unattended in any other part of the building, including the Student Living Room. Cat owners should seriously consider declawing their cats in order to avoid potentially high damage costs to college-owned furniture.

7. Pets may be left in a dormitory apartment when the dean, resident counselor, resident assistant, or family is away under the following conditions: that responsible arrangements be made for daily care of pets, and that the Office of Student Life (OSL) be given the name of the responsible person before the owner leaves town. Forms requesting the name(s) will be sent out the ninth week of each academic quarter by OSL.

1. Student housing does not lend itself to uncaged pets. Accordingly, students are not allowed to keep uncaged pets while living in student houses. Students may have aquariums with aquatic animals or small cages with hamsters, small birds, etc., provided prior permission has been obtained from their resident counselor, resident assistant, or resident family. Cages must be kept clean and without significant odors or this privilege could be revoked. Counselors will review each pet situation quarterly.

2. If a student has a pet in violation of these policies, Community Safety is responsible for seeing that the pet is impounded. The student will be issued a warning and have three days in which to find the animal an acceptable home. If an acceptable home is not found within three days, Community Safety will take the pet to a local animal shelter.

3. Non-traditional students living outside of residence dormitories will be governed by the policies under Section B.

4. Student Resident Assistants (R.A.s) will be governed by the current policies under Section C including those R.A.s living in the apartments of Beeman, Williams, and Hitchcock cottages.

The ARC encourages community members to consider their responsibilities and to prayerfully support the safety, comfort, and rightful place of abandoned or stray animals (See also Section A - item #7).

Please be aware of the following requirements:

1. Community Safety must be informed immediately if abandoned or stray animals are found on Principia property or brought onto campus from the surrounding areas.

2. Community Safety may recommend local shelters where animals will receive due care, owners and pets may be reunited, or suitable homes found.

3. In the event of a desire to keep abandoned or stray animals, compliance with current ARC policies in conjunction with the Jersey County Animal Control Ordinance is required.

1. The ARC and Community Safety will enforce these policies for all animals appearing on campus regardless of ownership.

2. Any animals found roaming loose on campus must be reported to Community Safety.

3. Pet owners will be notified/fined of any violations to these policies. Written warnings will be given for first violations. Fines of $5.00 will be assessed for second violations. Subsequent violations may result in escalating fines not less than $25.00. After excessive violations, the ARC may revoke the owner’s privilege of keeping their pet on Principia college-owned property. Pet owners may appeal to the ARC if they feel a decision has been unfairly implemented.

4. Some actions which could result in a fine are:

5. The ARC will meet with pet owners whenever necessary if a dangerous or harmful situation involving their pet occurs. This violation could result in the loss of privileges.

1. The Animal Relations Committee is composed of the following administrative members:

• Associate Director of Community Safety (non-voting, neutral enforcer)
• Rental Housing Manager
• Elsah Campus Personnel Coordinator
• Faculty Representative (appointed by Faculty Senate)
• Office of Student Life Representative (appointed by Dean of Students)
• Student Representative (appointed by Student Presidential Board)
• Animal Relations Committee Secretary (appointed by Animal Relations Committee; non-voting)
• Staff member (appointed by Staff Senate)

2. The ARC will operate by the vote of a simple majority of voting members. All voting members and the Community Safety officer are eligible to be elected Chair. The Chair will be elected by majority vote of voting members for a term of one year, and will vote only when necessary to break a tie vote. Chairs may be re-elected to serve a total of two consecutive terms.

3. The ARC is to meet as needed. The Chair or any two members may call a special meeting if it is deemed necessary.

4. The decisions of the ARC will be binding on the community as a whole. Minutes of all meetings and records of all decisions made will be kept. These records are available for anyone to review. Copies of minutes will be sent to committee members.

(Excerpts: effective 1/1/75; amended 2/3/75)

Article III. Registration of dogs shall be made in writing, either by mail or in person to the Animal Control Office who shall receipt and record payments. . .

Article V. Every owner of a dog 4 months or more of age shall cause such dog to be registered and vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and shall pay an annual registration fee for such dog as designated in Article III or this Ordinance. The annual registration fee shall be $2.00 for each dog. . . Upon payment of the required fee, a registration certificate shall be issued along with a rabies vaccination tag which shall be attached to the collar or harness and worn at all times except when the dog is confined (IL Animal Control Act Article 6).

Article VI. Any dog found running at large and not wearing the evidence of inoculation as provided in the regulations of the Illinois Department of Agriculture shall be deemed to be a stray and such animal shall be apprehended and impounded by the Animal Control Warden under the supervision Administrator. . .

Article VII. Any person failing to comply with the Illinois Animal Control Act is guilty of a petty offense for a first or second offense and shall be fined not less than $25.00 or more than $200.00 for a third and subsequent offense, is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

An act relating to stray animal control; rabies prevention; the liability of a person owning or harboring a dog which attacks or injures a person; providing penalties for violations thereof; and to repeal Acts therein named.

P.A. 78-795, approved Sept. 11, 1973, eff. Oct. 1, 1973.

Title amended by P.A. 83-711,2, approved Sept. 23, 1983, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

358. Inoculation against rabies required - Rabies inoculation tags

Sale and distribution of vaccine

8. Every owner of a dog 4 months or more of age not confined at all times to an enclosed area, shall cause such dog to be inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian at such intervals as may hereafter be established by regulations pursuant to this Act. Evidence of such rabies inoculation shall be entered on a certificate the form of which shall be approved by the Board and which shall be signed by the licensed veterinarian administering the vaccine. The Board shall cause a rabies inoculation tag to be issued, at a fee established by the Board for each dog inoculated against rabies.

Rabies vaccine for use on animals shall be sold or distributed only to and used only by licensed veterinarians. Such rabies vaccine shall be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and approved by the Department.

Amended by P.A. 78-1166, 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1974.

359. Dogs running at large - Impoundment

9. Any dog found running at large contrary to provisions of this Act shall be apprehended and impounded. For this purpose, the Administrator shall utilize any existing or available public pound.

365. Leash for dangerous dog or other animal

Exemptions - Injunction - Nuisance

15. It is unlawful for any person to maintain a public nuisance by permitting any dangerous dog or other animal to leave the premises of its owner when not under control by leash or other recognized control methods.

Guide dogs for the blind or hearing impaired, support dogs for the physically handicapped, and sentry, guard, or police-owned dogs are exempt from this Section; provided, an attack or injury to a person occurs while the dog is performing duties as expected.

Amended by P.A. 83-1362, Art. II, 4, eff. Sept. 11, 1984.

427a. Dogs running at large - Prohibition - Fines and penalties

The county board of each county may regulate and prohibit the running at large of dogs in unincorporated areas of the county which have been subdivided for residence purposes. The county board may impose such fines or penalties as are deemed proper to effectuate any such regulation or prohibition of dogs running at large, except when a fine or penalty is already allowed by law. No fine or penalty may exceed $50 for any one offense.

Added by Laws 1967, p. 932,. eff. July 1, 1967.

1. The following pet limits apply to Principia on-campus/off-campus housing:

Notchcliff Apartments:

Unit A - No uncaged pets permitted.

Unit B East - No uncaged pets permitted.

Unit B West - Maximum of one uncaged pet; no larger than one medium dog permitted.

Unit C - Maximum of one uncaged pet; no larger than one medium dog permitted.

Maximum of two uncaged pets; no more than one large dog permitted.

Resident Counselor / Family Apartments:

Maximum of one uncaged pet. This limit may be exceeded at the discretion of the Dean of Students during the hiring process of new resident counselors. In such a case, the acceptance of more than one pet will be considered by the Dean of Students in the best interest of the college. However, future replacements of pets beyond the 1-pet limit is prohibited. No pets in Beeman Cottage.

Maximum of two uncaged pets.

Maximum of two uncaged pets.

Extra Small = 0-10

Small = 11-25

Medium = 26-50

Large = 51-100

Extra Large = 101-Over