Burying your animal in the garden: the conditions to be met
The burial of an animal in its garden is governed by articles L226-1 to L226-9 of the Rural Code and maritime fishing which define the conditions under which it is possible.
Thus, to be able to bury the remains of your dog in your garden, you must:
- the animal weighs less than 40kg,
- the land on which you plan to bury your dog belongs to you,
- your animal's grave is at least 35 meters from neighboring houses and all water points (springs, ponds, rivers, streams, streams, groundwater, etc.) in order to avoid nuisance and pollution,
- the pit is deep enough (1.20 meters),
- his body is covered with quicklime then earth.
The remains of the animal can be buried as it is or covered with a non-synthetic fiber cloth acting as a shroud or can be placed in a wooden or biodegradable cardboard box. However, plastic shrouds (tarpaulins or plastic bags) are prohibited.
Warning!
Failure to comply with one of these obligations exposes you to a fine of €150.
I can't bury my dog in my garden: what should I do?
If your pet weighs more than 40kg, you don't own your home and/or you can't meet the conditions detailed above, there are alternatives to provide a burial for your pet pet.
The animal cemetery
If you can't bury your animal in your garden, you can do it in an animal cemetery where you can go and collect your thoughts. There are about thirty in France, managed by private companies or associations. Some of them even accept animals over 40kg.
The services offered are chargeable and vary from one animal cemetery to another. The price obviously varies according to the nature of the burial (in a common grave, in an individual coffin, in the ground) and the duration of the concession. Ask your town hall to find out the animal cemetery closest to you and the procedures to follow for animals over 40kg.
Cremation
The other option available to you, regardless of the weight of your pet, is cremation. It can then be a serve:
- individual cremation, if you want to be able to collect your pet's ashes to keep them or scatter them in the place of your choice,
- of collective cremation, otherwise.
These two services are obviously chargeable and individual cremation is more expensive than collective cremation.
To use it, it is generally sufficient to drop off or leave the remains of your animal with your veterinarian who will contact the crematorium, depending on the solution chosen. If you wish, it is also possible to attend the cremation of your animal during a private and individual cremation before recovering its ashes.