No, burying a pet in your yard in Colombia is illegal under national environmental law unless the animal is small (under 5 kg) and the burial complies with municipal waste management codes. The 2023 Ley 2256 and Decreto 1076 de 2015 prohibit unauthorized animal burials, classifying them as environmental contamination risks. Local authorities, such as Bogotá’s Secretaría Distrital de Ambiente or Medellín’s Área Metropolitana, enforce fines up to 1,000 minimum wages for violations.
Key Regulations for Burying a Pet in Your Yard in Colombia
- Size and Species Restrictions: Only pets weighing under 5 kg may be buried, and only if they are not classified as endangered or protected species under Resolución 1912 de 2017.
- Depth and Location Requirements: Burials must be at least 1.5 meters deep and located at least 30 meters from water sources, wells, or residential areas to prevent groundwater contamination.
- Municipal Approval: Some cities, like Cali, require prior notification to the Departamento Administrativo de Gestión del Medio Ambiente (DAGMA) and may mandate cremation for larger pets under Acuerdo 0412 de 2021.
Violations trigger administrative sanctions under Ley 1333 de 2009, with repeat offenders facing criminal liability under Código Penal Article 330 for environmental damage. Pet owners should use licensed veterinary services for cremation or disposal.