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  Discussion on Law regarding burying a deceased horse
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 22, 2000 - 10:27 am:

Several friends and I have a quesiton we would like to get answered. Is it illegal to bury a deceased horse? Or do individual state laws vary?

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 22, 2000 - 3:52 pm:

Dear Christina,
There are certain laws on burying horses, I am only aware of this because I lost my mare, a few years back, and I was told I could not bury her in
my pasture as I wanted to, so we had to make arrangements to have her buried elsewhere, I would talk to your local vet, on the laws, since thats how I found out, I think you have to have a certain amount of land But I'm not quite sure,
but the local vets are aware of the laws.
I hope this is curiosity wandering and not a loss, if so my heart is with you. Sandy

Posted on Thursday, Mar 23, 2000 - 10:10 am:

Thanks Sandy,

Yes,its only curiosity at this point. I do have two old mares (upper 30's) and when their time comes, would like to bury them on our place. We have a substantial amount of property, so I wouldn't think it would be a problem. I have just heard coflicting stories on what is acceptable. I will take your advice and call my vet.
Thanks
Chris

Posted on Thursday, Mar 23, 2000 - 7:17 pm:

I used to board at a place in Festus Missouri (35 miles south of St. Louis). The owner there said he was allowed to either bury or burn a deceased horse.

Posted on Friday, Mar 24, 2000 - 12:29 pm:

The laws regarding this are typically groverned by
the state with spacific additional guildlines
going down from there (county, city, etc.)

Here in Washington state animal burriel is legal
but must be done in a proper way depending on how
the animal died. The laws are set forth by WAC
(Washington Administrative Code). I don't have it
infront of me but there are minimum depths and if
the animal was diseased it must be covered by
lime. As well there are set back from houseing,
watter sources, as well as a maximim time that is
allowed from the time of death to the time of
disposal.

In a nut shell you cover all you bases if you
burry with no part of the animal closer than 6
feet to the surface, you cover it with lime, and
wait no more than 36 hours after death to
accomplish this. (In Washignton State)

To find out the specifics in your state contact
one of the following palces: State or County
Animal Services, Dept of Agriculture, State
Veterinarian.

Now also realize that some state also specifiy if
an animal died of some specific diseased other
regs will apply, such as quarentine and
incineration of an Anthrax carcus.

Hope that helps
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