PET CLASSIFIED'S
     THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW
           AND INHUMANE
PLEASE DON'T DUMP OFF DEAD      
   OR ALIVE ANIMALS AT OUR           
   DUMPSTERS TO DIE OR TO            
           SPREAD DISEASES                  
     KEEP GEORGIA BEAUTIFUL!!!      
 
                                                        RULES
                                                                              OF
                                           GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                                      ANIMAL INDUSTRY DIVISION
                                                               CHAPTER 40-13-5
                                                      DEAD ANIMAL DISPOSAL

                                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

EFFECTIVE 2-6-2003
40-13-5-01 DEFINITIONS     
40-13-5-02 DISPOSITION OF DEAD ANIMALS      
40-13-5-03 FACILITIES REQUIRING WRITTEN APPROVAL OR CERTIFICATE BY THE
DEPARTMENT
40-13-5-04 METHODS OF DISPOSAL OF DEAD ANIMALS
40-13-5-05 TRANSPORTATION OF DEAD ANIMALS
40-13-5-06 INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF DEAD ANIMALS
40-13-5-07 ENFORCEMENT

40-13-5-01 DEFINITIONS

1. DEAD ANIMALS MEANS THE CARCASSES, PARTS OF CARCASSES, FETUSES,
EMBRYOS, EFFLUENT, OR BLOOD OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. LIVESTOCK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATIONS, CATTLE, SWINE, SHEEP, GOATS,
POULTRY,  EQUINE, AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK,
B. ANIMALS ASSOCIATED WITH ANIMAL SHELTERS, PET DEALERS, KENNELS, STABLES,
AND BIRD DEALERS LICENSED BE THE DEPARTMENT,
C. ANIMALS PROCESSED BY COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WHICH PROCESS ANIMALS FOR
HUMAN CONSUMPTION, AND
D. ANIMALS ASSOCIATED WITH WILDLIFE EXHIBITIONS.
(AUTHORITY O.C.G.A. 4-5-2)

40-13-5-02 DISPOSITION OF DEAD ANIMALS.

1. NO PERSON SHALL ABANDON ON ANY PROPERTY ANY ANIMALS WHICH HAVE DIED
OR HAVE BEEN KILLED.
2. NO PERSON SHALL DISPOSE OF ANY DEAD ANIMALS ON ANOTHER PERSON'S
PROPERTY WITHOUT HAVING THE LAND OWNER'S PERMISSION.
3. NO PERSON SHALL DISPOSE OF ANY DEAD ANIMALS IN A CITY, COUNTY OR DULY
LICENSED LANDFILL WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE LANDFILL MANAGER,
4. UNDER NO CONDITIONS SHALL DEAD ANIMALS BE ABANDONED IN WELLS, OPEN
PITS, OR SURFACE WATERS OF ANY KIND EITHER ON PRIVATE OR PUBLIC LAND.
(AUTHORITY O.C.G.A. SEC 4-5-3)

40-13-5-03 FACILITIES REQUIRING WRITTEN APPROVAL OR CERTIFICATE BY THE
DEPARTMENT.

1. LIVESTOCK SALES MARKETS, LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER ESTABLISHMENTS,
CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS, AND GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE LICENSED ANIMALS SHELTERS, KENNELS, PET DEALERS, STABLES,
AND BIRD DEALERS, SHALL HAVE A WRITTEN AND APPROVED METHOD AND PLACE
FOR DISPOSAL OF DEAD ANIMALS AND ALL ACCESSORY WASTE MATERIAL INVOLVED IN
HANDLING DEAD ANIMALS WHICH DIE ON OR WITHIN THE PREMISES OF EACH
LICENSED ESTABLISHMENT. A  CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE MAY BE ISSUED FROM
THE DEPARTMENT.

2. POULTRY GROWERS, POULTRY DEALERS OF BROKERS, AND POULTRY SALES
ESTABLISHMENTS MAY BE ISSUED A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FROM THE
DEPARTMENT WHEN THE METHODS AND PLACES OF DEAD ANIMAL DISPOSAL ARE
APPROVED.
3. ANY PERSON FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF DEAD ANIMAL DISPOSAL RULES MAY BE
REQUIRED TO HAVE WRITTEN APPROVAL FROM THE STATE VETERINARIAN FOR
FUTURE DEAD ANIMAL DISPOSAL.
4. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL APPROVE THE METHODS AND PLACES FOR DISPOSAL
OF DEAD ANIMALS.
(AUTHORITY O.C.G.A. SECS. 4-4-82 AND 4-5-7)

40-13-5-04 METHODS OF DISPOSAL OF DEAD ANIMALS.

METHODS WHICH MAY BE USED FOR THE DISPOSAL OF DEAD ANIMALS ARE BURNING
TO ASH, INCINERATION, BURIAL, RENDERING, OR ANY METHOD USING APPROPRIATE
DISPOSAL TECHNOLOGY WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER,
PROVIDED DISPOSAL OF DEAD ANIMALS IS CARRIED OUT WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER
DEATH OR DISCOVERY OF THE DEAD ANIMAL.

1. BURIAL.---- DEAD ANIMALS THAT ARE BURIED MUST BE LOCATED MORE THAN 100
HORIZONTAL FEET AWAY FROM ANY EXISTING OR PROPOSED WILLS AND WATER
SUPPLY LINES, 15 HORIZONTAL FEET AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF ANY EMBANKMENT,
AND 100 HORIZONTAL FEET AWAY FROM THE SEASONAL HIGH WATER LEVEL OF ANY
POND, LAKE, TRIBUTARY, STREAM, OR OTHER BODY OF WATER INCLUDING
WETLANDS, BURIAL SITES MUST BE IN SOIL WITH MODERATE OR SLOW PERMEABILITY
AND MUST BE AT LEAST ONE FOOT ABOVE THE SEASONAL HIGH GROUNDWATER
ELEVATION. BURIAL SITES MUST NOT BE LOCATED IN AREAS WITH GULLIES, RAVINES,
DRY STREAM BEDS, NATURAL AND/OR MAN MADE DRAINAGE WAYS, SINK HOLES,
AND/OR OTHER SIMILAR CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE 100- YEAR FLOOD PLAIN AS
DETERMINED BY THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
A. DEAD ANIMALS THAT ARE BURIED MUST BE AT LEAST THREE FEET BELOW THE
GROUND LEVEL BUT NO MORE THAN EIGHT FEET AND HAVE NOT LESS THAN THREE
FEET OF EARTH OVER THE CARCASS.
B. DEAD ANIMALS MAY BE DISPOSED IN PITS WHICH ARE DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED,
MAINTAINED AND USED IN A MANNER TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DISEASES. PITS
MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

1. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PERSONNEL MUST APPROVE THE SITE
PRIOR TO PIT CONSTRUCTION. SOILS MUST BE EVALUATED FOR SUITABILITY PRIOR TO
PIT CONSTRUCTION BY A CERTIFIED GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
EMPLOYEE OR A CERTIFIED SOIL CLASSIFIER.
2. THE BOTTOM OF THE PIT MUST BE A SOIL WITH MODERATE OR SLOW PERMEABILITY
OR OTHER MATERIAL APPROVED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
THAT PREVENTS LEAKING.
3. PITS MUST HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPORT ALONG THE SIDES TO PREVENT CAVE-INS
AND MUST NOT EXCEED FOUR FEET IN WIDTH. FOR TOP-SOILS LEAVING 18 INCHES OR
MORE OF SAND, PIT WALLS MUST BE ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED AND MAINTAINED BE
CONCRETE, TREATED LUMBER, CORROSIVE RESISTANT METAL OR OTHER MATERIAL
APPROVED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
4. PITS MUST NOT BE LOCATED WHERE THE GROUND SLOPE EXCEEDS A MODERATE
TRADE.
5.  THE PIT COVER MUST BE OF SOLID CONSTRUCTION AND MUST ALLOW SURFACE
WATER TO DRAIN AWAY FROM THE PIT AND WATER SUPPLIES. THE PIT MUST BE
SEALED TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF RODENTS, INSECTS AND THE EXIT OF ODORS.
6.  PITS WILL BE CONSIDERED CLOSED WHEN COVERED WITH MORE THAN THREE
FEET OF SANDY OR CLAY TEXTURED SOIL  WITH A SLIGHT DOME ( AT LEAST SIX INCHES
HIGHER IN THE MIDDLE THAN AT THE EDGE.)
7. ANY PIT THAT DEVIATES FROM THE ABOVE CRITERIA MUST HAVE THE APPROVAL OF
THE STATE VETERINARIAN PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT AND USE.

2.  LANDFILL. DEAD ANIMALS MAY BE DISPOSED OF IN LANDFILLS  APPROVED TO
DISPOSE OF ANIMAL CARCASSES BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION. DEAD ANIMALS MUST BE
COVERED BY THREE FEET OF DIRT AT THE LANDFILL ON THE SOME DAY AS DELIVERY.
3. COMPOSTING. COMPOSTERS AND THEIR USE MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THEU.S.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
TECHNICAL GUIDANCE STANDARDS. TEMPERATURES MUST BE MONITORED USING A
COMPOST THERMOMETER AT LEAST EVERY OTHER DAY, WITH DAILY CHECKS BEING
PREFERRED COMPOSTERS MUST REACH A TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 130 AND 160
DEGREES F IN ORDER TO PROPERLY DECOMPOSE CARCASSES AND NEUTRALIZE
PATHOGENS.
4. INCINERATION. INCINERATORS AND THEIR USE MUST MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS OF
THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION. THE ENTIRE
CARCASS MUST BE REDUCED TO ASHES.
5. BURNING-- BURNING DEAD ANIMALS MUST COMPLY WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS. THE ENTIRE CARCASS MUST BE  REDUCED TO ASHES.
6. RENDERING.-- CARCASSES DISPOSED BY RENDERING MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE
RENDERING FACILITY WITHIN TWENTY- FOUR HOURS OF DEATH UNLESS CARCASSES  
ARE REFRIGERATED OR FROZEN.
7. OTHER DEAD ANIMAL DISPOSAL METHODS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE STATE
VETERINARIAN ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
(AUTHORITY O.C.G.A. SEC. 4-5-5)

40-13-5-05 TRANSPORTATION OF DEAD ANIMALS.      

1. THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE MAY PROHIBIT OR RESTRICT THE HAULING
OR TRANSPORTATION OF THE BODY OR PARTS OF DEAD ANIMALS.
2. DEAD ANIMALS MUST BE TRANSPORTED IN COVERED AND LEAK-PROOF
CONTAINERS.
3. THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE MAY DETERMINE THE ROUTE FOR
TRANSPORTATION  OF DEAD ANIMALS  SO AS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF
INFECTIOUS OR CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION OF DEAD ANIMALS
MUST HAVE A WRITTEN PERMIT ISSUED BY THE GEORGIA  DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE.
(AUTHORITY O.C.G.A. SEC 4-5-9)

40-13-5-06 INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF DEAD ANIMALS.

1. DEAD ANIMALS, EXCEPT FOR GREEN SALTED HIDES, ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER
GEORGIA EXCEPT BY WRITTEN PERMIT ISSUED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE.
2. WRITTEN PERMITS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR LICENSED RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS,
ACCREDITED OR STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENTS TRANSPORTING OR RECEIVING DEAD ANIMALS FOR RESEARCH OR
INVESTIGATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
(AUTHORITY O.C.G.A. SEC 4-5-8

40-13-5-07N ENFORCEMENT.

ANY PERSONS, FIRM PARTNERSHIP OR CORPORATION VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SEC, OR AN RULE OR REGULATIONS MADE PURSUANT THERETO,   SHALL BE
GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND UPON CONVICTION THEREOF SHALL BE PUNISHED
AS PROVIDED BY LAW
(AUTHORITY O.C.G.A. SEC 4-5-11)        
WHAT DO I DO WITH
MY DEAD ANIMAL?

IF YOU LIVE IN DODGE
COUNTY  GEORGIA YOU
CAN TAKE YOUR DEAD
ANIMALS IN A GARBAGE
BAG TO THE DUMP AND
MAKE SURE YOU LET
THEM KNOW YOU HAVE
A DEAD ANIMAL.  THEY
WILL BURY IT FOR YOU.
DON,T LEAVE THEM BY
THE DUMPSTERS ITS
AGAINST THE LAW  AND
IT SPREADS DISEASES  
                LAWS FOR DISPOSAL
                  OF DEAD ANIMALS