Is Backyard Pet Burial Now Legal in Minnesota?

Losing a beloved pet is an emotional experience, and many find comfort in laying them to rest at home. But is it legal to bury your furry friend in your yard here in Minnesota?

I've been a big animal lover my entire life and have had many pets over the years. While they bring joy and fulfillment to our lives and families, their much shorter lifespans mean just about all pet owners have had to deal with having one of their trusted friends pass away. And when that happens, you might be unaware of what has to be done with their remains here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

When I was a kid growing up over in central Wisconsin, my grandparents owned a big wooded area near their house. When our German Shepherd, Lucky, passed away, grandpa buried her in their woods, near where he'd laid several of his dogs to rest over the years.

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Before I moved to Minnesota, both of my beloved dogs, Dexter and Kramer, passed away and I buried them in the back corner of my yard in Wisconsin-- a place they both spent a lot of time. However, when our Beagle, Chance, passed away a few years ago, instead of burying him in our yard here in the North Star State, we opted for cremation instead. (However, that is a much more expensive option!)

So, while it might be difficult to do this time of year, is it, in fact, legal to bury a pet's remains in your yard after they've passed away here in Minnesota?

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To find out, I checked with the official Minnesota state statute Sec 35.82 (available from the Minnesota Legislature Office of the Revisor of Statutes) which clearly states that burying your pet in your yard IS legal-- with one notable requirement:

Any domestic animal that has died shall as soon as reasonably possible be buried at a depth adequate to prevent scavenging by other animals in the ground.

While the Minnesota state statutes don't mention cremation specifically, they note that it is legal to use the 'public thoroughfare' to transport your pet's remains 'for burial or other disposition.'

READ MORE: Doing This Will Get Your Dog 'High'-- But It's a Good Thing

State statute Sec 35.82 also noted that cities across Minnesota ARE able to enact a local ordinance that would prohibit burying a pet in your yard. So, if you're at all wondering, it would be best to check with your local city or country just to clear up any confusion.

Speaking of pets, there are few things cuter than what our beloved furry friends looked like when they were young, right? If you didn't happen to have your dog when they were a puppy, keep scrolling to see what some of the most popular breeds looked like when they were little!

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