University of Washington Bans Dogs After Dog Bite Incident

The University of Washington will no longer allow dogs in campus buildings following several dog bite incidents over the last semester. UW's newspaper, The Daily, reported that most recently a dog bit a person in Parrington Hall, beginning a number of rule changes. Non-service dogs will no longer be allowed in campus buildings and pets may not be left unattended outside on campus, even if tethered.

The decision was made by the UW Board of Regents and The UW Academic and Student Affairs Committee and will be enforced by the UW Police Department. Changes will be made to the Washington Academic Code (WAC) to not only bar animals from the university's buildings, but also to comply with Seattle Animal Control standards.

The UWPD will enforce the new rules by first issuing a warning and then to ask the pet owners to leave the building. Pet owners will only be ticketed or banned from the building if they refuse to cooperate by removing their animal from the premises. Animals that are unleashed or unattended on campus could be brought to animal control for the safety of those on campus.