Before a person selects a final resting place for their dog, it is important to determine what type of arrangement the law in the person’s locality permits. Many localities prohibit burying an animal anywhere other than in an established cemetery for animal burials. So, for example, burying the dog in the backyard of residential real property may well be prohibited. The illegal burial of a pet dog in a place where it is not allowed could subject a person to a civil penalty, most likely a fine.
For example, the state of Arkansas does not allow burial of pets on an owner’s property, and Arkansas law requires owners to either cremate or otherwise dispose of a pet’s body within 12 hours of the pet’s demise. Most states, however, do allow backyard burial of a pet as long as it is buried deep enough, the pet did not die of an infectious disease, and it is placed at a sufficient distance from any water supply. But cities, counties and homeowners associations may have different rules that might prohibit the practice.
There are other options. One option is to donate the dog’s body to veterinary science. Veterinary scientists would be able to make use of it for research about diseases and canine genetics. Moreover, veterinary students learn canine anatomy, surgery and pathology from deceased dogs that are donated to science. If a person lives near a school of veterinary science, they may wish to contact the school to explore options for the donation of a deceased dog. It would be best to make arrangements for donation before the dog dies.
Other options are pet cemeteries, which can be the best option if a veterinarian has declared the dog to be hazardous waste.
A dog can be cremated. The owner can retain the ashes, in an urn for example, and keep them as a memorial or scatter them in an appropriate location. Or a person can give the responsibility for disposing of the dog’s body to their veterinarian. The veterinarian would probably arrange for burial in a local pet cemetery, for a fee, of course, or for cremation.
Keep in mind that cremation of an animal is not done individually unless a person specifically requests it. Some pet cemeteries advertise individual cremations for animals of all kinds. If individual cremation is important to a person, they may want to be sure to have a contract in writing that specifies that the cremation is to be done individually.
What Are Pet Cemeteries?
A pet cemetery is just like a cemetery for humans. However, only pets are buried there. The cost to bury a dog in a local pet cemetery ranges from about a hundred to several thousand dollars. It is much like human burial. The cost depends on the goods, e.g. memorial items such as headstones, and services that a person wants to purchase. Local market conditions also influence the price of pet burial or funeral services. So the cost varies greatly from place to place within the U.S.
Whom Do I Contact to Find Out Where I Can Bury My Dog?
It is best to contact your animal control or county health department for specific laws on burying a dog. Some may offer advice only, and others may offer services. For example, the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Montgomery County, Maryland, offers owner-requested euthanasia services.
However, Alameda County Animal Services in California does not offer either euthanasia or burial. If a municipal or county animal control agency does not offer any service, then a person would want to contact a local veterinarian or a commercial pet cemetery.
Are There Specific Instructions That I Have to Follow?
Again, it is important to check with local authorities to confirm that it is legal to bury a dog at home. Different cities, counties and states have varying rules. Then, even if burying a dog at home is legal, a person may want to consider several other factors.before deciding on a home burial.
For example, a person may want to think about whether they intend to move out in the near future. A person may not want to leave their pet dog’s remains in a place from which they may soon depart. Also, the person should think about the cause of the dog’s death. If the dog died of a contagious disease, a person should probably choose an option other than home burial.
Also, if the pet was euthanized, the drugs used for this purpose can be toxic to other animals, so it is important to bury the corpse in a hole that is deep enough. In a locality that permits pet burials, a person should wrap the dog in a blanket, towel or other biodegradable material. A person could use a casket made of wood or wicker also; the important point is to avoid materials that are non-biodegradable.
The corpse must be placed in a hole that is at least 4 to 5 feet deep and then covered with 3 feet of sand. Note that some states require a greater depth; Louisiana requires the corpse to be buried 6 feet below ground.
The hole should also be at least 100 feet away from underground water supplies and distant from underground utilities as well. Keep in mind that the areas around homes are full of utility cables and pipes of various kinds that should not be disturbed by excavation.
Keep in mind that an animal corpse can be kept unrefrigerated for only about 24 hours. After that, the burial should have been done, or it must be moved to an appropriate location. That would be a freezer, if possible, or unwrapped on a concrete or cement floor. The concrete draws heat away from the body. Or, the dog can be placed in the coldest part of a person’s residence and packed in ice until it can be buried.
If a person lives in a residence that is part of a community with a homeowners association, they might also want to consult with the board of directors or the property manager to make sure that burial of a pet in the yard of a residence is allowed by the covenants and bylaws.
What If I Am Not Allowed to Bury My Dog in My Yard?
Again, it is legal in almost all states for a person to bury their dog in their yard, provided they do it in an appropriate location and at the depth required in their state.
A pet cemetery is another option. Some people may not wish to pay the cost of burying a pet in a pet cemetery. Many dog owners request that a veterinarian dispose of their dogs in a way that complies with local laws. A veterinarian can make arrangements to have a dog cremated and the ashes returned to the owner. Again, the owner would then have the option of burying the ashes, keeping them or scattering them in a place of their choosing. Or, again, a person can make these arrangements directly with a pet cemetery that has a cremation service.
Another option is to call the government of the city or county in which a person lives. As noted above, some cities and counties offer a service to dispose of a pet’s remains for a reasonable fee. A person would have to ask their local animal control department or animal shelters about their animal disposal policies. A person would also want to ask their local government animal control agency whether burial in the yard of a home is allowed by local law.
Should I Contact an Attorney about My Legal Rights to Bury My Dog?
Each jurisdiction has specific pet burial laws. For example, in most states, it is not allowed to bury a dog in a public park. Before burying your dog, it might be a good idea to consult a criminal defense attorney to make sure that you are not violating any laws that may apply.
Or, if local authorities have ticketed you for burying your dog in a local park or other prohibited location, your attorney can provide you with a defense and possibly win a reduction in the penalty, which would probably be a fine. Or, if you are having trouble figuring out what the law is in your location, a criminal defense attorney can do the research and give you a clear answer.
