Protocol for burial of pets

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 10:01:52 GMT

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]

I remember hearing that if an animal is euthanased in the surgery it is clinical waste, and therefore legally the owner is not allowed to bury it, but if the animal is put to sleep at home then it is household waste and they are allowed to bury it!

[/quote] My understanding is that the original regulation did state just this but it was relaxed so It only becomes clinical waste once the owner has committed it to you for disposal, up to that point it is still free for the owner to do what they want with it even if they change their mind after they've originally left it with you with intent for you to dispose of it and come back to collect it.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Rob Loxley — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 23:35:03 GMT

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]I remember hearing that if an animal is euthanased in the surgery it is clinical waste, and therefore legally the owner is not allowed to bury it, but if the animal is put to sleep at home then it is household waste and they are allowed to bury it![/quote]

I've heard that, but struggled to find any regulation to support that, and given there is a specific derogation to allow pets to be buried at home I'm suspicious it's rubbish!

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Charlotte Marshall — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 23:22:12 GMT

I do warn people of course before they take them away but I also always try to fit the animal in the bag in such a way that when they stiffen they are not in a really contorted position especially if I suspect they may change their minds. but it is difficult to do that with large dogs.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Robin Grimmer — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:18:10 GMT

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:26:49 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Tell them to dig the hole a bit deeper than six inches? Bit of along shot isn't it unless it died of anthrax.[/quote]

The only one I'd not want to let them take home would be something zoonotic - eg lepto.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:53:30 GMT

[quote user="Elisabeth Knappett"]

But, just to throw the cat among the pigeons, how would opinions differ if the said pet was PTS for a contagious and dangerous disease that is likely to spread to others in the area? for example, parvo....

[/quote] Tell them to dig the hole a bit deeper than six inches? Bit of along shot isn't it unless it died of anthrax.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Elisabeth Knappett — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:48:34 GMT

I completely agree - allow owner to take home to bury, advise against looking etc, we have some cardboard 'coffins' (nice looking boxes really) that all home burials get sent home in. But, just to throw the cat among the pigeons, how would opinions differ if the said pet was PTS for a contagious and dangerous disease that is likely to spread to others in the area? for example, parvo....

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:24:28 GMT

My understanding is it only bacomes our waste if it's entrusted to us by the owner and we then either dispose of it (practice crem) or hand it to a 3rd party for disposal-and it musn't be buried where it would pollute a water course, but otherwise the owners can either bury it on their own land or on someone else's as long as the 3rd party has given consent,and has not been paid

Wynne

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Rob Loxley — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:18:33 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] I don't think there is any H&S restriction on where they can bury it[/quote]

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/permitting/34857.aspx is the relevant exemption for home burial (unless it is Hazardous etc.) and the pet should be buried at a domestic property where the pet lived.

I guess we should refuse if the pet is Hazardous, but is it for us to police where the body is actually buried under the current legislation? (i.e. if we PTS the animal does it become our waste and as per the rest of our waste do we have a duty of care as to its final destination?).

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:32:48 GMT

[quote user="Alice Courtney"]

And as I understand it, it must be for burial in their own garden! Not a friends', or the local park

[/quote] I don't think there is any H&S restriction on where they can bury it, only property laws if it is trespass, or it is contravening local bye-laws, maybe something about leaking into water courses. The environment agency rules only apply to the vet (or other 3rd party contracted to dispose of it), it would be contravening them if he/they took the dog and buried it somewhere (even the client's own garden), because once it has been permanently committed to the practice for disposal it has become clinical waste not just a body.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Alice Courtney — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:37:51 GMT

And as I understand it, it must be for burial in their own garden! Not a friends', or the local park

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:19:32 GMT

PS I suppose if the owner didn't drive and took a taxi home there might be probs-but not if a friend drove them FOC

Wynne

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:18:06 GMT

No probs as it's the owners own property-it's only transport of waste for commercial reasons that's regulated This would be no different from taking your rubbish home after a picnic

Wynne

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Robert Whiteford — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:19:48 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]There are no H&S or legal grounds for not allowing the owner access to the animal or to take it home for burial.[/quote]

Is there not an issue with transporting waste without being liceneced so to do?

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

David Mills — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:52:54 GMT

There are no H&S or legal grounds for not allowing the owner access to the animal or to take it home for burial. They are specifically even after death the owners goods; home burial is an exception of the Animal By-Products Regs; the H/S risk is no more than immediately after death. There is no ethical, moral or legal basis for advising against home-burial - the animal remains the same whether freshly dead or frozen. The objection can only be on aesthetics grounds.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:46:54 GMT

[quote user="Alice Courtney"]This must be a first, we all seem to agree!![/quote] Perhaps that's because David, Jon and Gerry haven't posted yet!

Seriously: I guess in retrospect I would advise against viewing a frozen pet for all the reasons given above but If they're coming to collect it to take home they're going to view it at some stage anyway unless they'e going to bury it in the yellow bag. That said we do take them out the freezer beforehand and at least brush the frost off and wrap them in a blanket or towel. I have considered allowing to de-frost for a while but it is a trade-off between frozen or smelly.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:05:17 GMT

We did have one occasion when we shampooed and hair dryed a frozen dog to make it a little more presentable. Owners had been on holiday when died etc etc. They seemed to much appreciate our efforts, although there was no way to disguise the fact that their beloved pet had a beautiful coat but was otherwise frozen solid.....!!!!

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Alice Courtney — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:04:14 GMT

This must be a first, we all seem to agree!! In my experience as well a lot of people realise it isn't necessarily a pleasant thing to see their pet in such a condition. In my old job owners very rarely visited their pet after it had been in cold storage, but I find it is more common in my current job, which is something I can't quite explain! If they do want to visit a pet after it has been in cold storage, and you have gone to the effort of trying to make it look as at peace as possible when putting it into & getting it out of cold storage, then I find most people are extremely grateful and not at all phased by the whole thing. I know I would find it very difficult, I don't know how people do it actually.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:52:34 GMT

Obviously allow them-it's their property-but again warn them it willbe frozen

Wynne

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Joyce Whitehead — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:04:21 GMT

I've answered with "other" as I would certainly allow the owners to take the pet home, but would advise strongly against the " visit" part in terms of seeing their pet - as it will look pretty horrible after being in the freezer. We have had this situation, and generally after a chat the owners realise that just burying their pet without looking at it is preferable.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:54:43 GMT

They can have it back by all means but it will be frozen solid and I suggest they don't look in the bag.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

James Allsop — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:40:41 GMT

I agree with Clive - I dont see how you could refuse. If I have put the body in the freezer (cold storage is a much better way of describing to a client) I will warn them that the body may not look as they remember, which they may find upsetting. Some people will then change their mind (again) and continue with cremation, others really want to do a home burial.... their choice. Euthanasia is such an emotive issue I will try to make the process as easy as possible for my clients and go with their wishes as far as is reasonably possible.

Re: Protocol for burial of pets

Clive Ansell — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:32:50 GMT

Why would anyone not allow a client to take their pet home for burial? It is their pet/property, and I can't see how one could prevent them if they wish to do so?

I have put an elderly cat to sleep this morning and the owners are too upset to make a decision at the moment, so the cat is in storage until they decide. They may decide to take home for burial later, which is fine.