Can you legally bury your pet in the back yard of your SC home? What the law says

Patrick McCreless
·2 min read

It’s never easy to lose a beloved pet.

Whether it’s the family dog or a cat you’ve had since high school, our pets are there for us. But eventually the moment comes when it’s time to say goodbye.

What do you do afterward?

There are options, including burial. However, is it even legal to bury a pet in your back yard in South Carolina?

Here’s what the law has to say about it.

Pet burial in South Carolina

South Carolina is one of several states that has no law prohibiting the burial of pets on your property. The Palmetto State does however have laws regarding how to properly bury or dispose of animals.

SC Code Section 44-29-30 states that the owner of any animal or poultry that dies, except in the case of being slaughtered for use, must immediately bury or burn the body.

“When buried, an animal shall be put not less than 3 feet and poultry not less than 1 foot under the ground,” the law states.

The law adds that anyone who owns an animal that dies on their property, but does not dispose of it in a timely manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor and could face a fine between $5 and $100 or be imprisoned for as much as 30 days.

Options for a dead pet

While burying pets in the back yard is legal in South Carolina, it might not be the best option.

According to Agape Pet Services, which has a location in Greenville, back yard burial could lead to resurfaces. For instance, other neighborhood pets or wild animals might dig the body up.

“As pets decompose, they emit gases other animals can smell,” Agape’s website states.

The pet might also resurface from flooding caused by heavy rains.

And then, there’s the problem of losing a buried pet’s memorial and no longer being close to it if you move to a new home.

Options beyond back yard burial

  • Cremation with an urn: There are multiple businesses across South Carolina that offer pet cremation services. If you don’t want a traditional urn, there are options to place the remains in memorial stones or even jewelry.

  • Cremation with spreading of ashes: This is a fairly straightforward option. Just make sure you have permission first if you plan to scatter the ashes on property that isn’t yours.

  • Donation for research: Donating a pet to science helps veterinary researchers and students learn more about animal anatomy and disease treatments.

  • Burial in a pet cemetery: If you simply prefer burials, a proper pet cemetery is an option. Your pet will get a professional burial that will keep other animals away.

  • Alkaline hydrolysis: This is another type of cremation. The process uses water, heat and alkaline chemicals instead of flame to break down the body. After the process, the owner receives the fine bone-fragment cremains.