[verdifish]

A local vet has told friends who have lost a couple of pigs over the weekend that it's OK to bury them in the garden here in Scotland whilst the law states otherwise ! Your thoughts on what should happen please  !!!

[Factotum]

The law up here is quite clear - fallen stock can only be buried if the holding is within the 'remote areas' classification - which covers the Highlands and some westerly parts.

The pigs need to be collected under the fallen stock scheme, and the vet needs reminding of the law.


Sue

[HappyHippy]

no, No and just to be clear NO! 
A vet should know better  It's fine to bury 'pet' species and while the pigs in question might have been pets, the species is still considered livestock, therefore laws apply - completely agree with Sue.
The fact that they both died at the same time (assuming they've died, rather than being dispatched) might also indicate disease in which case it's even more important that they're disposed of correctly 
I'd make sure that your friends get the pigs collected asap and write a letter/email to the vet (maybe with animal health copied in?) reminding them of the regulations. I don't think I could let that go unchecked 
Kx

[Buffy the eggs layer]

I know a number of vets who accept that some farmers wish to bury pet livestock on their premises. Not long after we moved here we discovered the remains of 2 horses in the pasture. In fact a farming neighbor buried his wife in his land. She was dead and in a coffin I hasten to add.


 I think it's probably more common than you think.

[Cosmore]

In fact a farming neighbor buried his wife in his land. She was dead and in a coffin I hasten to add.

He obviosly made a  grave decision then! . sorry, couldn't resist, forgive my black humour!

Ahem, yes all livestock come under the fallen stock scheme which is law, also where multiple deaths occur and or the reasons are not age or accident related a veterinary investigation is necessary to check for the existence of notifiable or other diseases.

[Anke]

Well horses are not livestock, and as long as you are prepared to dig for days on end (or have a JCB handy) you can bury them on your land. I don't think many people do it nowadays though...

Would I go out and tell a vet what (not) to do.... no way.

[Me]

no, No and just to be clear NO! 
A vet should know better  It's fine to bury 'pet' species and while the pigs in question might have been pets, the species is still considered livestock, therefore laws apply - completely agree with Sue.
The fact that they both died at the same time (assuming they've died, rather than being dispatched) might also indicate disease in which case it's even more important that they're disposed of correctly 
I'd make sure that your friends get the pigs collected asap and write a letter/email to the vet (maybe with animal health copied in?) reminding them of the regulations. I don't think I could let that go unchecked 
Kx

Not a very happy or hippyish post...

[Marches Farmer]

I'd want to know why they'd died and then I'd want them gone. There are quite enough bad pig diseases around the world  at present.

[HappyHippy]

Apologies [member=35918]Me[/member] but HappyHippy is struggling with a bed bound hubby, pigs & ponies, 4 kids (including an out of control autistic one) and the effects of nicotine withdrawal amongst various other things, please cut me a little slack 
It doesn't change the fact that a vet who is giving wrong information needs to be pulled up on it though 

[Me]

I would suggest you reduce your workload by first kicking at least the pigs and ponies out of bed and then let the kids have their cigarettes back

[verdifish]

Just spoke to the vet in question who was very apologetic and thanked me for pointing out the law ,he was under the impression that because they were pet pigs burial at home was OK . I geuss it just gos to prove vets arnt super human and can't know everything !

[harmony]

You are allowed to bury pet animals.
[/color]A pet animal is defined in the regulations as “any animal belonging to a species normally nourished and kept, but not consumed, by humans for purposes other than farming”.[/size]
[/color]This does not apply to farm animals such as sheep, cows, pigs, goats and poultry.[/size]
[/color]Farm animals must be disposed of using an approved disposal method for fallen stock.[/size][/color]HorsesIn Scotland and Wales, only pet horses can be buried.In England, you are allowed to bury horses whether they are pets or not.[/color]