1. Having a dog on campus is a privilege - kaimahi wanting to bring a dog to an Otago Polytechnic campus are required to adhere to this policy.
2. Kaimahi dog owners will ensure signage stating the presence of a dog in a specific area must be visible to all before they enter the area. (Refer to Appendix 3 for Otago Polytechnic branded signage).
3. Dogs on an Otago Polytechnic campus, must be under supervision at all times, have consent to be on-campus, have access to water and shade, and be kept under appropriate control by their owner, either on a lead, confined in a crate or by use of a barrier (refer to Appendix 1)
3a. Dogs are not permitted in any areas where food is prepared or consumed such as Eden, Otago Polytechnic tearooms or equivalent.
3b. Dogs are not permitted at or during any Otago Polytechnic functions or in Otago Polytechnic vehicles.
3c. Due to potential issues, such as allergies, disruption and difficulty gaining everyone’s consent, dogs are not permitted in spaces where learning and teaching occurs including but not limited to workshops, laboratories, field trips, carpentry house builds, and/or classrooms (with the exception of the School of Animal Health dogs may be in teaching spaces for learning and teaching activities only, as per the currently approved animal use protocol).
4. Kaimahi dog owners may be allowed to occupy school/service area office spaces, including individual and shared offices, but only if all staff in these spaces are agreeable. This will be reviewed periodically as required e.g. including but not limited to a change in the dog’s temperament, a new kaimahi joining the team (refer to Appendix 1)
4a. The kaimahi dog owner is responsible for completing the “Dogs On-Campus Consent Form” (refer to Appendix 1) after an initial discussion with the Formal Leader and for asking all kaimahi in the shared office space to complete the form and return it to their Formal Leader.
4b. The Formal Leader will advise the kaimahi dog owner of the outcome, ensuring confidentiality is maintained.
4c. The Formal Leader will keep a secure record (refer to Appendix 1) of all kaimahi requests to have a dog in a shared office space.
4d. Any issues or concerns with a dog in a shared office space or on an Otago Polytechnic campus will be dealt with by the Formal Leader.
4e. Kaimahi dog owners will also seek permission from any new kaimahi starting in their work area and acknowledge this may result in a change of conditions for the dog being on campus.
5. Kaimahi dog owners are required to adhere to this policy and to respect the rights of kaimahi and ākonga to feel safe and comfortable at Otago Polytechnic. If approached or advised that the presence of and/or behaviour of their dog is causing discomfort for others they must remove the dog from the area, and/or the campus immediately (This could also include repeated barking, over-excitment or familiar behaviour and/or aggression). If non-compliance is observed kaimahi or ākonga ar encouraged to:
5a. Ask the owner to remove the dog from the Otago Polytechnic campus site immediately.
and
5b. Report the non-compliance through the Otago Polytechnic VAULT which will initiate a log, follow up and investigation, as appropriate.
6. Any dog that is not under control, causes a health and safety-related concern or has an instance of unsatisfactory animal behaviour, such as but not limited to exhibiting signs of stress, aggressive or confrontational behaviour to another dog or person will be subject to Dunedin City Council (DCC) Dog Control Laws, may be removed from the premises and no longer allowed on an Otago Polytechnic campus.
7a. Permission under Appendix 1 does not eliminate the requirement to complete Appendix 2, for instance, bringing a dog to an Otago Polytechnic event such as open/day/careers evening requires approval from Animals@OP Committee.
8. In the case of damage to Otago Polytechnic property caused by a dog, the owner is liable for payment for cleaning, repair, or replacement, following discussion and agreement with their Formal Leader.
