SOUTH DAKOTA

Carcass Disposal State Regulations

General

Depending on circumstances, large animal carcass disposal may be regulated by a state's solid waste, medical waste, agriculture, or emergency management regulations. If your state does not provide specific guidance or regulations relating to large animal carcass disposal, check with your local health department, or city/county laws and ordinances.

In addition, during emergency situations and disasters (e.g., blizzards, floods, hurricanes, mass die-offs, etc.), consult with your local emergency officials, your state emergency planning agency, or the state veterinarian, to determine approved methods of carcass disposal.

Applicable Agencies and Regulations for South Dakota

South Dakota Animal Industry Board

Address: 411 South Fort Street, Pierre, SD 57501

Contact Information: http://aib.sd.gov/contactus.shtm

Rules and Regulations: SD Codified Law 40-5-15. Disposal of carcasses subject to board order. The Animal Industry Board may require any owner, caretaker, or custodian of animals that have died from any cause, to dispose of the carcasses in such manner as the board may order, rule, or prescribe. The disposal of such carcasses shall be at the owner's expense.

More Information

Disposal of Dead Animals: Guidelines for On-Farm Disposal (South Dakota Animal Industry Board, 2003). Cites SDLC 40-5-15 which states carcasses must be disposed of in such a manner as the Board prescribes and SDAIB regulation 12:68:03:05 which states that carcasses of animals which have died from a non-communicable cause shall be burned, buried or disposed of by a licensed rendering plant within 36 hours. Disposal options addressed:

• Rendering: Must be done within 36 hours.

• Burial: Must be done within 36 hours and to a depth of at least 4 feet
• Burning: Must be done within 36 hours.

Disposal of Livestock Mortality for SD (South Dakota Animal Industry Board, 2005). Cites SD Codified Law Chapter 12:68:03:05 but also gives the option to compost, talks about CAFOs not polluting surface or ground water and says there is information from NRCS for Mortality Composting. Facilities that plan to compost animal mortalities must obtain approval from the South Dakota Animal Industry Board. Gives contact information.

The Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI) maintains a database of carcass disposal state regulations promulgated by state environmental, agricultural and other agencies. There may be additional information on this site, not found on VetCA, that can be helpful to veterinarians, ranchers and farmers. Click here to access the CWMI information for South Dakota.

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