No, burying a pet in your Tennessee yard is prohibited under the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division regulations, which classify domestic animal carcasses as waste requiring licensed disposal. Local ordinances in counties like Davidson and Shelby further restrict land burial, mandating cremation or municipal waste services. Violations may incur fines under the 2023 Tennessee Animal Waste Management Act, effective January 2026.
Key Regulations for Burying a Pet in Your Yard in Tennessee
- State Prohibition: Tennessee Code Annotated § 44-17-403 bans land burial of pet remains, classifying them as “animal waste” subject to disposal via licensed rendering facilities or cremation.
- Local Ordinances: Counties such as Knox and Hamilton enforce stricter rules; Knox County Health Department requires permits for any animal carcass disposal, including pets, with penalties up to $500 for unauthorized burial.
- Alternative Compliance: The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) permits pet cremation or interment in designated pet cemeteries, provided burial sites are at least 100 feet from water sources and 200 feet from residences.