WEST VIRGINIA

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 West Virginia

West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Address: 1900 Kanawha Blvd, East, Charleston, WV 25305-0170

Contact Information: http://www.wvagriculture.org/contact.html

Rules and Regulations: 19-0-34 Disposal of carcass of diseased animal. Disposal of carcass to prevent the spread of disease shall be done by cremation, boiling or burial. Disposal options addressed:

• Burial: Burial of the carcass and all its parts, covered with quicklime and greater than 2 feet from the surface.

• Burning: Complete cremation of the entire carcass with all its parts and products.

• Other Methods: Boiling the carcass and all its parts and products in water, or heating the same with steam at the temperature of boiling water, continuously during at least 2 hours

More 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 West Virginia.

Choose another state