Legal aspects of using land plots for burying pets

Abstract

Unauthorized burial of animal corpses is becoming more and more common in Ukraine. For more than twenty years, this problem has remained unresolved, despite legal requirements for the proper burial of deceased pets in specially designated places.

The article is devoted to the legal aspects of using land plots for the burial of pets. The problem is complicated by the fact that the Law of Ukraine “On Burial and Funeral Business” concerns only the burial of people and does not regulate the issue of pet burial. The author analyzes the existing legal acts and finds that most communities that have adopted the Rules for Keeping Pets actually define separate provisions for the burial of pets. In particular, they contain rules prohibiting the disposal of pet corpses in containers and landfills and burying them in the ground, as well as the obligation of owners to notify veterinary clinics of the death or destruction of an animal. However, the author emphasizes that these Rules do not regulate the procedure for handling dead animals.

It is emphasized that at the legislative level in Ukraine there are no designated places for the burial of animal remains or their cremation. That is, such burial requires an appropriate land plot. In addition, the current legislation of Ukraine does not contain any requirements regarding the place of burial of pets. At the same time, it is established that if a land plot is allocated for the burial of pets, a sanitary protection zone with special arrangements must be created. The study pays attention to the draft Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Reforming the Sphere of Burial and Ritual Services” in the part concerning the burial of pets in certain sectors of cemeteries. In addition, the author made proposals to regulate the issue of burying animal corpses in rural areas.

The study demonstrated that there are a number of key legal challenges in the field of animal burial today. Therefore, the conclusions emphasize the need for mandatory registration and identification of pets. In addition, it is emphasized that the problem requires a comprehensive legal solution. First, it is necessary to determine the possible ways of burying animals; Second, to create conditions for the burial of pet corpses (legal institutions - crematoriums and places - columbaria for burying an urn with pet ashes); Third, to regulate the issue of eco-cemeteries for pets.