In between practice sessions at the Music Building, UW alumnus D.Jay Shontz would toss a ball across the Quad for his dog, Banjo, and walk him around campus. When the two would return to the practice rooms, Banjo would lie down and “just hang out.”

According to Chapter 478-128 of the Washington Academic Code (WAC), the hangout sessions between Banjo and his owner inside of the building are not allowed. Chapter 478-128 bans all non-service animals from campus buildings at UW.

The UW Board of Regents decided to revisit this policy in a meeting at UW Bothell last month.

The UW Academic and Student Affairs Committee recommended to the Board of Regents that Chapter 478-128 of the Washington Academic Code (WAC) be changed so that only service animals are allowed inside campus buildings, whereas before only seeing-eye dogs had been allowed. The changes also mandate that animals cannot be left unattended or tethered to campus property. This addition and change to the chapter is the first that has been made since 1973.

UW Police Department (UWPD) Assistant Chief Ray Wittmier said the additions to the WAC could be a response to recent incidents involving non-service animals. A dog recently bit someone in Parrington Hall. The chapter was also amended to comply with Seattle animal control standards.

Senior Megan Veith said there are places where pets are not allowed because children are present, but that it doesn’t make sense for pets to be banned, given how campus is brimming with older students and faculty members.

“There aren’t a lot of children around here,” Veith said. “[Campus] is also a pretty public place.”

Shontz said young kids who see Banjo on campus are startled at first, but they warm up to him after seeing that the red heeler is friendly and non-aggressive.

“Most people like it that I bring Banjo,” Shontz said. “I’d say 90 percent of everyone I see wants to pet him or like him. They don’t feel threatened.”

Sections added to WAC 178-128 also state that unleashed or unattended animals found on property could be impounded. Pet owners violating the policy could also be fined according to public regulations or banned from campus.

Wittmier said the UWPD would likely enforce the policy by responding to complaints about animals being inside campus buildings. Pet owners will be asked to take their animals out of a building if someone reports them. They will only be cited or banned from campus by the UWPD if they refuse to take their animal outside.

“[Violators] will always get a warning first,” Wittmier said. “If somebody doesn’t have ties to campus, they could be banned. Someone on campus will be handled as an employment-type issue. [His or her] employment could be terminated. Other actions could affect students and their student status [at the UW].”

With the new policy in mind, Shontz said he would still bring Banjo to campus but leave him in his car.

“I love my dog and … I just want him to be with me at the end of the day,” Shontz said.

Reach reporter Vivian Luu at news@dailyuw.com.