No, burying a pet in your yard is illegal under Saudi Arabia’s Environmental Law (Royal Decree M/165, 2021) and municipal waste management regulations enforced by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development (NCVCD). Violations risk fines up to SAR 50,000 or imprisonment, as carcasses must be reported to veterinary authorities for disposal via licensed incineration or landfill sites.
Key Regulations for Burying a Pet in Your Yard in Saudi Arabia
- Municipal Waste Prohibition: Local bylaws (e.g., Riyadh Municipality’s Waste Management Regulations, 2023) explicitly prohibit private burial of animal remains, classifying them as hazardous waste requiring municipal handling.
- Veterinary Reporting Mandate: The Animal Resources Law (2019) obliges pet owners to notify the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) within 24 hours of a pet’s death for proper disposal protocols.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Upcoming amendments to the National Waste Strategy will enforce stricter penalties for unauthorized burials, including mandatory DNA testing of remains to trace illegal dumping.
Non-compliance extends to expatriates, with deportation risks under Labor Law provisions for environmental violations. Authorized alternatives include MEWA-approved pet cemeteries or veterinary clinics.