In order to manage the risks associated with the presence of dogs on district property, the following restrictions applies to dogs on school grounds and in buildings:

• No dogs are allowed on district property between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any school day, except for bona fide service dogs. No dogs are permitted in district athletic stadiums at any time, except for bona fide service dogs.
• At all other times dogs must be leashed and controlled by owners. Owner must clean up after their dogs and remove waste from district premises.

Service Animals:
Service animals and guide dogs are allowed on district property in accordance with state law. The definition of a guide dog and service animal are found in RCW 49.60.040 (8) and (24).

For reoccurring visits, guide dogs and service animals must have an up-to-date vaccination record on file in the school office where the dog will be located.

A person with a disability may be accompanied by a service animal or guide dog within district property unless the animal’s behavior:

• creates a fundamental alteration in the nature of the educational setting
• is not well behaved
• presents a risk to the health and safety of students and/or staff. A risk to the health and safety of others is one that cannot be mitigated or eliminated by modifying policies, practices, or procedures.

The decision to allow a service animal or guide dog in training will be left up to each site administrator. These animals must have an up-to-date vaccination record on file.

District staff members who wish to have a service animal or guide dog at their work site must request an ADA accommodation through the District’s Human Resources Department.

According to Washington State law (RCW 16.08.040), the owner of any dog that bites a person while that person is in a public place or lawfully in a private place is liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. The dog owner is personally held strictly liable for the damage inflicted on any persons injured or harmed by the dog physically or emotionally in any manner.