Is It Legal to Bury Your Pet In Your Yard In Minnesota

THE BEST DOG EVER

Miranda Lambert sings about her favorite dog, "Under that live oak,"   buried in the yard. Chris Stapleton sings about a dog he found in a shopping cart that changed his life, named Maggie, who he buried on a hill on the farm. Losing a beloved pet is one of the hardest things a person can go through, and what to do with their remains is a question many have to consider after their death.

If you live in an apartment or on shared grounds, obviously you wouldn't consider burying your pet in your shared yard, but homeowners or those who live on farms can bury their pets on their property. The question is, is it legal to do so?

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Kelly Cordes

MY BEST FRIEND SAMPSON

When I lost my Great Dane Sampson, I was totally distraught. I held his paw as he was put down and crossed the rainbow bridge. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. The Emergency service center that we were at offered burial to me, and so I had a clay imprint of his paw made, and I took it home with me, and they disposed of his body. I knew that I didn't have the capability of burying him myself, and it was the best option for me. For some, burying their pets close to their home is very important.

AGING PETS

As my precious cat Mr. Bean is now between 19 and 20 years old, I'm being faced with this question again.  Not only am I considering what I might need to do for his comfort in his last days, but what will I do once he is gone?

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Which leads to the question: Is it legal to bury your pet in your yard in Minnesota? Specifically for me, I'm asking about Stearns County.

In most states, you are allowed to bury your pet in your backyard, but there are various regulations for burial depending on what state you live in, and some cities have different regulations regarding zoning.

In Minnesota, it IS legal to bury your beloved pet in your yard. But it has to be buried at a specific depth so scavenging animals can't dig up the remains. According to revisor.mn.gov: "Any domestic animal that has died, shall, as soon as reasonably possible, be buried at a depth adequate to prevent scavenging by other animals on the grounds."