Dogs become an issue on campus despite UA policy that bans pets

By: Bailey McBride

Posted: 4/29/09

UA students probably are accustomed to seeing dogs being walked on campus, playing Frisbee or jogging alongside their owners. But according to university policy, dogs are not allowed on the UA campus - and for student Whitney Jones, it would have been helpful if that policy had been enforced last week.

Last Thursday, Jones, a sophomore biochemistry major, was walking on Duncan Avenue when she saw a small black dog and his owner playing on Dickson Street. The dog, which wasn't on a leash, began barking and started to approach Jones.

"At first he was just kind of barking, and then he started to bark more frantically, so I knew he wasn't trying to play around with me," Jones said.

The dog approached Jones and began to jump on her, biting her four times on the leg. A man ran out from the Botany Building and grabbed the dog to get it away from Jones.

The owner did not say anything, even the dog's name, for the duration of the attack, Jones said. The owner then picked up his dog and fled the scene.

After the police arrived, Jones went to the hospital, where she received a tetanus shot. She is still on antibiotics for her injuries.

"More than anything, we just need to find the dog and quarantine him so we can see if he's had his shots," Jones said.

After the attack, an unidentified person picked the dog up, walked south toward Center Street and got in a blue, four-door, older-model car, possibly a Saturn, and drove away, said Gary Crain, UAPD public information officer.

According to Fayetteville Campus Policy 718.0, "In the interest of promoting greater personal safety, a more healthful environment and increased maintenance efficiency in campus educational, administrative and general purpose buildings, and on the campus grounds surrounding these facilities, the presence of pets in these areas is prohibited."

The policy also states, "Exceptions to this policy are limited to service animals for people with disabilities; animals, fish, fowl or reptiles under the control of and used by academic departments for approved teaching and/or research purposes; and those animals, fish, fowl or reptiles used in approved art performances."

Many students who bring their dogs to campus, however, are unaware of any policy preventing the practice.

"I love dogs, and I think everyone should be able to take their dog for a stroll around campus," said Chris Milligan, a senior criminal justice major. "I don't think this one incident should define the rule because numerous dogs are brought to campus every day without incident."

Kaleb Cox, a freshman history major, said that though it's great to see dogs on campus now and then, it's "absolutely necessary" that they be on leashes.

"It does not matter how well-trained a dog is - there is no way to predict exactly how a dog will behave around other people," Cox said. "Without a leash, the owner has no way to control his dog."

Jones said she still hasn't grasped the full impact of the attack.

"I'm a pet owner - I have a dog - and now I think I'm going to be harder on my own dog so she'll behave around people," Jones said. "I don't know if I want to ever own a dog again.

"I just can't believe I got attacked by a dog, so now every time I see one on I am terrified. I still like dogs ... but I'm just too scared to go up to them now."