By admin Among life’s greatest sorrows for many is the death of a pet.
But what do you do next? Can you bury them on your property?
South Carolina law says yes, you can.
But there are some directives.
SC law
State law says they must be buried or burned. That goes for poultry as well as dogs and cats or other domesticated animals.
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The hole must be at least three feet deep for most pets, poultry one foot.
If you don’t bury them you can be charged with a misdemeanor and, if convicted, face a fine of between $5 and $100 or 30 days in jail.
Richland County requires that you call 811, or visit the South Carolina 811 website before digging.
Animal care will pick up if the pet is double bagged and placed curbside.
“All other deceased animals are the responsibility of the resident or property owner,” Richland County says.
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But there are other options on how to dispose of the remains.
Agape Pet Services in Greenville offers cremation services, saying backyard burial could result in animals digging the body up or resurfacing during heavy rain.
The company sells urns, which can be taken with you if you move, memorial products and artwork made from cremated remains.
Other options include:
Cremation and spreading the ashes.
Donating a pet to science research.
Burial in a pet cemetery. There are several in South Carolina including Midlands Pet Care in Lexington, which offers an array of services from cremation to burial in their cemetery on U.S. 321.
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