It is legal in most states to bury dogs and other pets in the backyard. Do not bury a cat near a stream, creek or dam as contaminated soil can leach into the water. Its important to use breathable and biodegradable materials in wrapping your dog. Did your dog die from contagious diseases? If burying your beloved pets is illegal in your states, you have to follow alternative methods to say goodbye to your pets. In this article, we summarise the laws each state has on pet ashes being buried with their owners. #Utah: In Utah, there is no legal restriction to bury pets. Delaware Burying your pet in your backyard is allowed in Delaware, but they advise against burying them near any water source. #Delaware: In Delaware, burying pets in the backyard is legal. But since youre not aware of the regulations in your state, you just dig up a hole. This will become an issue if your pet died of a contagious disease such as parvovirus. #Cemetery: If your state doesnt allow you to bury your pet, you can bury your pet in a local pet cemetery, which is created for pets only to rest in peace. Have your wishes in writing and sign a funeral planning declaration. 9,094 satisfied customers. You may bury the ashes in a cemetery, an urn garden, private land, or a natural burial site. The material you should use in wrapping your dogs body should be breathable and decomposable such as cotton cloths or blankets. Look into private cremation or burial: While expensive if done for just one animal, most private cremations offer group cremations to reduce the cost. Now, the question is, is it legal to bury your pet in your backyard? In many states in the US, burying pets in the backyard is legal. Here is a list of the few states where it is illegal to bury your dog in the backyard. 823.041 Disposal of bodies of dead animals; penalty.. Even after their death. Hence, why its also referred to by vets as the beautiful death. Pet Cremation and Burial: Choosing what's right for you and your pet. An individual funeral director or cemetery manager may have special requirements for what is allowed in the coffin, but most will make exceptions for a pet urn. 3. However, there are state regulations you need to follow such as making the grave at least 3 feet deep and far from water sources and utility lines such as sewage lines, electric lines, and gas pipes. Chapter 823 PUBLIC NUISANCES Entire Chapter. Its legal to bury your dog in your backyard in most states in the US. More so if youre living in earthquake-prone states like California and Alaska. If it's going to be done on public land or elsewhere, it's important to get permission first. How much does it cost to bury a pet in a pet cemetery, 6 Signs a Dog is Dying of Cancer (Plus Way You Can Help), What You Need to Know Before Getting a Labradoodle, 7 Reasons Why a Dog in Heat is Bleeding Too Long, Tumors in Hamsters: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments, Colds In Hamsters: Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment, Constipation in Hamsters; Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, Diarrhea in Hamsters; Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Bury the dog on your property, in a plastic bag in a box if you wish, at least 2 feet deep. Its important that you dont let your other dogs join the burial itself. Can Me And My Pet Be Buried Together? However, it costs around 100 to 200 bucks. You need to ensure your cat will not be dug up by wildlife or other pets. [6] Try calling your vet to see if she knows the local law. Make it as touching or as simple as you want. Your email address will not be published. All these species provide opportunities to learn about their anatomy and diseases. Although most states allow pet owners to bury their pets at home, sometimes doing so might not be a good idea. If they smell their pee, the foxes might get intimidated and leave. Your email address will not be published. State By State Laws Of Burying Pets In Backyard - Nursing Pets Thats one of the secondary reasons for having an open-casket funeral so people can put mementos in the casket with their loved ones. This was proven when cases of dogs dying started to show up. This will also grant you the opportunity to feel close to your pooch. Your email address will not be published. However, you have to bury them a minimum of 2 feet underground. But you must adhere to all the pet backyard burial guidelines in place. As a veterinary pathologist, my job is to conduct autopsies on animals . As a general rule, you will have to own the property you plan to use, but regulations for at-home burial vary by state and municipality. In Alabama or Michigan, you need to bury your dog within 24 hours. If it's legal, you can bury your rabbit in your yard. #Kentucky: In Kentucky, you can bury your pets in your backyard. Burying your cat deep within the ground can help to prevent other creatures from discovering your cat. There are legal realities you should consider following the death of your beloved pet dog, cat, bird, snake, gerbil, hamster, or any other furry, finned, or feathered non-human companion. Its understandable that youd want them to be close to you after they die. intel director salary. After your dogs burial, its important that you take precautions. Any favorite toys to be buried with your pet. Alternatively, you can contact the veterinary science school directly through their website or general enquiries telephone number. #Maryland: If you live in Maryland, you can bury your pets in your backyard 4 feet or more deep underground. Because it should be a place filled with good memories. Being buried with our loved ones gives us comfort in knowing that we will all still be together even in death. However, you may also inter an urn on private land (such as your backyard) or a natural burial ground. Can your pet's ashes be buried with you? Once youre sure to bury your pets in your backyard, you will need to do a few sequential activities to give your feathered friends a safe and respectful burial. You just have to make sure that you bury your pets within 48 hours of their passing. New Jersey allows cremated human remains to be buried with a pet, but only in a pet cemetery. She lives happily with her husband Greg and her babies Ruby the schnoodle, Monkey the tortoise and Oliver James OJ the cat. Some alternatives if you dont want to bury your pooch in the yard. can you bury your pet in your yard in wisconsin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. After youve said your goodbyes, you have to get your dogs body ready for burying. Make sure to check with relevant local authorities, Home burial allowed provided it doesnt interfere with a water source, Home burial is allowed provided the burial site is far from a water source and is sufficiently deep, Home burial is legal provided the pet is buried at least 2 feet underground, Home burial is allowed provided the burial site is not near a water source and is at least 300ft away from your neighbor, Home burial is allowed provided the pet is buried at least 2ft underground, Home burial is allowed provided the burial site is at least 5ft deep and 500ft away from a water source, You can bury your dog in your backyard provided it is buried at least 3ft underground, Home burial is legal provided the site is at least 75ft from the nearest water source, Home burial is allowed but only with a legal permit from your homeowner association, Home burial is allowed provided the burial takes place within 24hrs after your pet passes and the burial site is at least 3ft deep, Home burial is allowed for pets with non-infectious diseases and should be buried at least 3ft underground, Home burial is legal but you should consult your city for additional regulations, Home burial is legal provided the burial site is at least 3ft deep, You can bury your pet at home but make sure to do so within 48 hours after your dog dies, Pet burial at home is legal provided theyre buried at least 1ft deep, Home burial is allowed provided it is done within 36 hours after their passing and the burial site is kept at least 3ft deep, Home burial is allowed provided the burial site is at least 3ft deep and situated away from a water source, Home burial is allowed as long as the burial site is at least 3ft deep, You can bury your pet at home as long as you do so within 48hrs of their passing, Home burial is legal but make sure to do so within 48hrs of their passing, You can bury your dog at home as long as the burial site is at least 3ft deep, Some areas in Wyoming require pet parents to get approval to bury their pets at home. You can have their urn buried in your garden. But you have to take responsibility for taking care of the body of your dog. As for a backyard burial, many people still do this, but it may be against the laws in certain areas, so check with your State and local laws first. When our beloved pooches die, its like a part of us is also missing. Biodegradable burial pod. If you really need a backyard memorial for your dog, why not consider having their body cremated first before being buried? Australians love their pets, so why don't more public places welcome them? But local communities may not because of certain health hazards. However, you have to complete the farewell within 48 hours of their passing. A few states are out there in the US, allowing you to be buried with your pet. University of Queensland provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. But if you bury your dog in the backyard now, theyll be left alone there when you move away. The largest pod we could find measured 26 x 18 x 10 inches, so they could be used to bury larger animals as well. #Wyoming: If youre a resident in Wyoming, you may need to get approval before burying your feathered friends. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Its even illegal in some places in the country. #Maine: Maine allows pet owners to bury their pets in their backyard. And it can serve as a keepsake of your pooch. (1) Any owner, custodian, or person in charge of domestic animals, upon the death of such animals due to disease, shall dispose of the carcasses . to bury humans in pet cemeteries. Once youre sure that your pet is dead, hurry up to bury it because dead bodies start to decompose right away. Any animal scavenging on the remains will be poisoned by the euthanasia solution. Here were going to discuss a few alternatives to burying pets. By the way, you have to make sure that you bury your pets at least 3 feet underground. And this is one of the many risks of burying your dog in the backyard. Then put this on top of their grave. You shouldnt bury your pet in a plastic bag because these bags are not environment-friendly. Don't Bury Your Pet in the Backyard for This One Reason - Inverse Dead Animal Disposal Options in Indiana - BOAH A trend that is growing in popularity is whole-family cemeteries. Section 941.14 - Ohio Revised Code | Ohio Laws My institution takes everything from mice to horses, and exotic pets like snakes and lizards. But how can these animals find your dogs body when theyre already buried? It should be buried 4 feet or more deep underground. These states do not currently have pet burial laws, but a few regulations may still apply. It should be 100 ft away from any water sources. If you do chose backyard burial, make sure you enclose your pet's body first. And lastly, let the children attend their dog burial at home. If your state allows you to bury your pet, its time to decide on a place. Youll grow, and with this comes changes. Aside from that, you must also ensure that youre burying your dog 100 ft away from any open water sources like lakes, rivers, or streams to avoid contamination. Just in case any situation mentioned above happens. However, you have to make sure that you bury your pets deep enough and keep their graves away from a water source. Even when theyve already died months before. Burial-specific depth also applies. However, youre, in general, allowed to bury your pets with permission. If you bury a pet in your backyard, it may resurface after heavy rains. They would see this scent as a threat and this could make them run off to another place. So when these insects get in contact with a decaying body, theyd carry the bacterias on their legs. Access law & case law by selecting a state, subject, or a species from drop down menus. Only animal pest control professionals are allowed to kill or trap them. Organizing a dog burial in the backyard will take an emotional toll on you. You all right? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you live within a community governed by a Homeowners Associations (HOA), you will need to follow their rules. Yes, you can, if your local authorities allow it. Another pet casket option is a biodegradable pet burial pod. #Alaska: When it comes to burying your pets in Alaska, youre allowed to bury them on your property. You may also choose to spread the cremains in a place thats meaningful for you and your pet. Here were going to let you know the pet burial laws in each state of the US. Back then, its fine to flush your goldfish in the toilet when it died. Most families choose to bury their pets in their backyards to have a memorial site for them which is truly comforting. Pet owners must cremate or dispose of their pets body within 12hrs of their passing, Home burial of pets is illegal in California, although most pet owners in rural areas do otherwise, Some parts of the state do not allow the home burial of pets. And even if it's legal, laying your dog to rest in the yard isn't a great idea due to the many risks involved. Keep in mind, however, that state and city laws generally prevent pet burial in public locations, which means you can't dig a hole at the dog run or in a local park for your animal's eternal resting spot.Instead, if your dog or cat is dying and you think you'll need to make a plan for him soon, become familiar with the best practices for burying a pet at home, including the right spot to . And it can affect many dogs in your area. In a matter of 3 days, Pancho had gone from a playful and cheeky healthy 3-year-old dog to being paralyzed and eventually having a seizure which he never recovered from. If you choose to scatter ashes in a U.S. national park, there are guidelines you must follow. Even when their body has already decayed. Below we have a look at the most important things to help you decide whether burying your dog in the backyard is the right thing to do. Youll not be only endangering yourself, but the whole community, too. Having your dog buried in a pet cemetery is another option. But, there are inconveniences that dogs cause. One of them is that you can take your dogs ashes with you wherever you go. You may choose to have your pet cremated and have their ashes rest at home in an urn. Some of these are close counterparts of rare genetic disorders in children. In the U.S., households own about 89.7 million dogs and 94.2 million cats. Get a cotton cloth or towel. Some areas have pet cemetery where pet owners bury their pets and visit them whenever they want. Elevated burial sites mean floodwaters are less likely to unearth the pets body. Emergency Contact & Complaints. This behavior is called infanticide. Burying a Cat - Step by Step Instructions - Cat-World Florida Once youve decided on a place, dig a deep enough hole. In some cemeteries you may notice that couples are laid to rest together. Home Burials: How to (legally) bury a body in your backyard It appears if the dog is deceased due to disease (you said liver problems and I don't know if that was due to some disease or not) you cannot bury it within the City limits: City of Harrisburg, PA. Chapter 6-315.2. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Bury Your Cat Safely in The Backyard: Step 1: Select a Spot: select a burial site, such as a spot in your yard. Can you believe that? #Florida: Florida allows pet owners to bury their pets in their backyard and other properties. UK law states that you can legally bury your pet in the grounds of the home that it lived in, as long as you own (not rent) the home, and that the animal isn't hazardous to human. Related Review: Best Indoor Camera For Pets [Read here]. We recommend you speak with relevant local authorities or your vet to have all the details you need based on your state. Donating their body to science, for research and veterinary training, can potentially help hundreds of pets. Donated pets provide my students with a valuable understanding of how disease affects the body. This means if you do so knowingly or unknowingly, you could risk fines. Why is burying your dog in your backyard a bad idea? But can you bury your dog in your backyard? If your backyard doesnt meet the required guidelines and you still want to bury your pet, consider a pet cemetery. Burying your pet on your property is allowed in Connecticut, as long as you bury them deep enough to avoid scavengers. This can help train other veterinarians and students. After veterinary school Dr. Ochoa moved to east Texas to work in a small animal an exotic veterinarian. Losing a pet can be a traumatic experience but there are many resources out there for owners to help them cope. If you decide to bury your pet in a casket or burial container, consider purchasing a headstone or memorial marker for your pet's grave. However, we hope the article helps you a lot in identifying whether burying your pets in the backyard is legal or not. Associate Professor, The University of Queensland. Now, its time to put the pet in the ground. Trivia: Foxes are opportunistic feeders. These include whether it's legal to bury a dead pet in your backyard or on some other property you legally own. You see, when dogs are euthanized, veterinarians use pentobarbital. #Connecticut: If you live in Connecticut, you can bury your pets in your backyard. Site includes information on animals & the law. And that you can still come back to visit it even after many years. Dog hair is manageable around the Hi, I am Carolina, and this is my story Things you need to bury are: Are you looking for an eco-friendly casket for your pet? Against wild animals and scavengers that will try to dig up your dogs body. Burial allowed but ensure to bury them deep enough to avoid scavengers, Home burial allowed but make sure not to bury near a water source, Burial allowed but recommends cremation if your pet died of an infectious disease, Burial is allowed but make sure to bury your pet deep enough to keep scavengers away, Home burial is allowed but you should first check with your homeowner association for further clarifications, Burial is allowed provided you bury your pet at least 3ft underground, You can bury your dog at home only if it does not have an infectious disease, Home burial allowed as long as you bury your pet at least 4ft underground, Home burial is allowed but you should check with individual homeowner association for further clarifications, Burial is allowed provided the pet does not pose any risks to the environment or ecosystem, Home burial allowed but make sure the burial site is 4ft deep and at least 100 ft from a water source, Home burial is allowed provided the pet is not contaminated with an infectious disease and the burial site is at least 6 feet deep, Home burial allowed provided the pet isnt carrying any infectious disease and is buried far from a water source, Home burial is allowed but make sure the pet is burial at least 4 feet underground, Pet burial laws differ from town to town, but in most areas, it is allowed.