Can You Bury a Pet in Your Backyard in Wisconsin?

Updated November 3, 2026

Many Wisconsin families do, on land they own, as long as they follow a few basic rules. State law says an animal's body can't be put in a lake, river or other state waters, and can't be left where dogs or wild animals can reach it. Before you dig, contact Diggers Hotline (811), which is free and required by law. Your city or village may have its own rules, so check with them too.

What Wisconsin's state law says

Wisconsin's law on animal remains covers livestock and other domestic animals. It doesn't have a separate section written just for pets, but two parts of it matter for a home burial:

• Not in the water. No one may dispose of an animal's body in the waters of the state.
• Not left exposed. A body can't be left where dogs or wild animals can get to it for more than 24 hours from April through November, or more than 48 hours from December through March.

A third rule applies if you're bringing your pet home from somewhere else: a dead animal carried on a public road must be in a closed vehicle or container, or completely covered.

Check local rules and the property

• Your city, village or town. Local ordinances can be stricter than state law. Call your municipal clerk or check the local code before you bury.
• If you rent, ask your landlord first. The yard isn't yours to dig in.
• Homeowners associations sometimes have rules about digging and yard changes.
• Think about moving. If you might sell the house, you can't easily take the grave with you. Some families choose cremation for that reason and bury or plant the ashes instead.

Call 811 before you dig

Wisconsin law requires anyone digging to contact Diggers Hotline first, even with only a shovel and no matter how shallow the hole. Diggers Hotline says the service is free and asks for at least three working days' notice before you start, so utility companies can mark any buried gas, electric or cable lines. You can call 811 or file a request on the Diggers Hotline website.

If you can't wait three working days, ask your vet to keep your pet in cold storage until the lines are marked.

If your pet was euthanized, take extra care

The drug most often used to put pets to sleep, pentobarbital, stays in the body. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service warns that eagles, other wildlife and even neighborhood dogs have been poisoned by eating the remains of euthanized animals. For that reason, it calls cremation the preferred choice for a euthanized pet. If you do bury, it says immediate deep burial keeps scavengers away, and notes that most regulations call for at least 3 to 4 feet of soil on top.

How to bury your pet safely

1. Pick the spot. Choose a place away from any pond, stream or lake, away from your well, and clear of the lines Diggers Hotline marked.
2. Wrap your pet. Use a natural material like a cotton blanket, or a biodegradable pet casket or burial bag. Veterinary guidance suggests a lined bag or biodegradable coffin to prevent leakage. Skip plastic.
3. Dig deep enough. Aim for at least 3 feet of soil above your pet, and more for a larger dog or a pet that was euthanized. A deeper grave also keeps animals from digging.
4. Fill and mark it. Pack the soil down firmly. A flat stone or marker on top helps keep animals away and gives you a place to remember them.

When cremation may be the better choice

• Your pet was euthanized and you can't dig 3 to 4 feet down.
• The ground is frozen, which is common in a Wisconsin winter.
• You rent, or you might move.
• Local rules don't allow burial where you live.

Cremation still lets you keep your pet close. You can bury the ashes in the yard later, scatter them, or keep them in an urn. See Should you cremate or bury your pet? for how the options compare.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bury my pet in the winter in Wisconsin?

It's often hard once the ground freezes. Your vet or a pet crematory can keep your pet in cold storage until spring, or you can choose cremation and bury the ashes when the ground thaws. Remember that 811 still needs at least three working days' notice.

Do I have to call Diggers Hotline just to bury a pet?

Yes. Diggers Hotline says you must contact it before any digging, even with hand tools and no matter how deep you dig.

Can I bury my pet in a park or on public land?

Don't. You need the landowner's permission to bury on land you don't own. A pet cemetery is an option if you don't have a yard.

This article is general information, not legal or veterinary advice. Local ordinances vary, so check with your municipality before you dig. Last checked November 3, 2026.

Sources: Wis. Stat. § 95.50; Wis. Stat. § 95.72; Diggers Hotline: Homeowner FAQ; Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: Diggers Hotline; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Secondary pentobarbital poisoning of wildlife; Feline Veterinary Medical Association: Final arrangements.