What Minnesota Law Now Says About Burying Pets

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, and for many Minnesotans, the idea of laying them to rest at home feels like the most personal farewell. But before you choose a quiet spot in the yard, state law has a few important rules you’ll want to know.

Losing a furry member of your family is one of the hardest parts of being a pet owner, and many Minnesotans want to honor their furry friend with a final resting place close to home. But just what does Minnesota law say about burying pets on your property?

Is It Legal to Bury a Pet in Your Backyard 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.

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 where 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, which is always an option-- though it's often much more expensive.

So, as we're now moving into spring and summer, when it's easier to do, is it, in fact, legal to bury a pet's remains in your yard after they've passed away here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes?

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Minnesota Law on Pet Burial: What the Statute Says

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.'

Why You Should Check Local City Rules First

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!