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Selected methods of animal carcass disposal

Article  in  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · May 2002

DOI: 10.2460/javma.2002.220.1003 · Source: PubMed

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Special Report
Selected methods of animal carcass disposal
Jean E. Sander, DVM, MAM, DACPV; Martin C. Warbington, DVM; Lee M. Myers, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
G eorgia’s Dead Animal Disposal Act indicates that
prompt disposal of dead animals is necessary to pre-
vent the spread of infectious and contagious disease.1
Similar state acts regulate the disposition of animal car-
casses in most of the United States; however, approved
methods vary with animal species and state. As veteri-
narians, we understand the importance of proper dis-
posal of animal carcasses and could serve our clients
well by acting as a source for this information. Several
methods of carcass disposal are commonly used, includ-
ing burial, composting, incineration, and rendering.1-4
Pit burial—In states where it is approved, pit bur-
ial is by far the most widely used method of carcass dis-
posal for animal agriculture facilities with numerous
animals such as poultry or swine. Geographic regions
where the water table is deep and the soil type is non-
porous are best suited to this disposal method. In loca-
tions where the soil is sandy, the sides of the pit must
be reinforced, either through the use of fabricated walls
or a 3-ft-diameter concrete pipe, such as that used
under roads for drainage, placed on end. Pit burial is
popular because it can be accomplished quickly and
easily. Burial pits often are highly regulated and
inspected by the state Department of Agriculture to
assure compliance and minimize the potential for
ground-water contamination.1 These regulations vary
among states.1,4 In Georgia, for example, poultry pits
cannot be located within 100 ft of a well or water line,
within 15 ft of the edge of an embankment, or within
100 ft of ponds, lakes, streams, or tributaries.
Information regarding pit construction can be
obtained from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
In general, pits should be no deeper than 8 ft to avoid
entering the water table. The top of the pit must be of
solid construction with a tight-fitting lid or cap. The
top must be sealed to prevent the entry of rodents,
insects, and rainwater and prevent the escape of odors.
The typical life span of a pit will depend on the animal
species and the size of the pit, which for poultry is usu-
ally 16 to 36 ft2; a pit of this size will last approximate-
ly 5 years. This is 1 of the least expensive methods of
From the Department of Avian Medicine, The University of Georgia,
Athens, GA 30602-4875 (Sander); Tumalo Animal Hospital, 19850
5th St, Bend, OR 97708 (Warbington); and State Veterinarian,
Georgia Department of Agriculture, 19 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
SW, Atlanta, GA 30334-4201 (Myers).
The topic for this paper was suggested by the AVMA Committee on
Environmental Issues. Dr. Sander is a member of the committee.
Address correspondence to Dr. Sander.
JAVMA, Vol 220, No. 7, April 1, 2002
disposal for large numbers of carcasses; cost is approx-
imately 0.75 to 4.24 cents/lb.5,6
Individual burial—Individual burial is allowed,
but state regulations should be consulted before burying
carcasses, because there may be restrictions on the num-
ber of pounds per acre per year that may be buried.4
Individual carcass burial is approved in all states that
regulate animal carcass disposal, with variations in the
required depth ranging from 0.5 to 6 ft deep; 3 to 4 ft of
dirt covering the carcass is the most common require-
ment. With large carcasses, such as those of cattle and
horses, a trench 7 ft wide and 9 ft deep is typically need-
ed.2,7 A mature cow requires 14 ft2 of trench floor space.
Because 1 to 2% of dairy cows die on farms each year,
large farm operations may eventually run out of space
for these trenches and require other disposal methods.7
Landfilling—Landfilling is an alternative in some
locations, but not all municipal landfills will accept
carcasses, and costs may be high.7 Individual municipal
landfill requirements should be checked, because some
demand double bagging of the carcass. This method is
commonly used for companion animals. Certain
municipalities offer pickup services for carcass dispos-
al, but dead-animal collectors must be licensed.1,3
Composting—Composting is defined as con-
trolled decomposition of organic materials and is a san-
itary and practical method of carcass disposal that has
recently gained popularity. During composting, bacte-
ria break down the carcass, leaving only feathers and
bones. When properly performed, composting is safe
and produces an end product that is a fairly odorless,
spongy, and humus-like substance that is a valuable
soil supplement.7,8 Typical fertilizer values for finished
compost are 25 lb of nitrogen/ton, 13 lb of phospho-
rous (as P2O5)/ton, and 7 lb of potassium (as
K2O)/ton.9 Compost can easily be applied to fields with
a standard manure spreader. Farmers who use this
method of carcass disposal must obtain a permit from
the state’s Department of Agriculture office.1,8
Guidelines for placement of composters have been
developed to avoid runoff and drinking-water contam-
ination during high-water periods.9 Composting of car-
casses can also be accomplished with covered piles or
in trenches, but the same principles regarding runoff
apply. Detailed instructions on composting methods
can be found in the literature.2,6-9 This method of dis-
posal costs approximately 2.1 to 8.4 cents/lb.5,6
Vet Med Today: Special Report 1003
 In some locations, there may be restrictions on the
size of the animal that may be composted, although in
states where the process is approved, swine and cattle
producers have used this method successfully.7 Large
animals may compost more quickly if partitioned or
cut open prior to composting.2,7 It takes 9 to 10 months
to compost intact pig and cattle carcasses.10 Because of
the extremely high heat required to denature the prion
responsible for transmissible spongiform encepha-
lopathies, composted mammalian tissues should not be
used on human food crops.11 However, during proper
composting the tissues reach 130 F for 3 days, which
should kill most pathogenic viruses and bacteria
except for spores. Other restrictions on composting
may involve the use of the composted material.8 Local
regulations should be checked before constructing a
composting facility. Some states require a training pro-
gram for persons to become certified to compost sheep,
swine, and cattle.
Tissue digestion—Tissue digestion of animal
carcasses is achieved by alkaline hydrolysis. This
process, most commonly used at a diagnostic labora-
tory or in an industry setting, uses a strong alkali at
high temperatures to solubilize and hydrolyze tissues
and results in a neutral solution of amino acids, pep-
tides, sugars, and soap that is suitable for release into
a sewer. The only solid end products are the miner-
als from the bones and teeth, and the process
destroys toxins. Cost, environmental impact, and
other information on this process can be found at
www.wr2.net.
Incineration—Incineration is probably the most
biosecure method of carcass disposal, but it is costly. A
500-lb capacity incinerator costs approximately
$3,000.00 and lasts approximately 4 years. The actual
cost to incinerate is variable depending on the local cost
of propane fuel but is approximately 4.3 to 10.75
cents/lb.5-7 Results of 1 study12 indicate that incinera-
tion via modern equipment actually costs less than
composting for the disposal of chicken carcasses.
When operating properly, incinerators produce little
odor. Some states require a permit to install and oper-
ate an incinerator. To prevent air pollution, guidelines
on this method of disposal are regulated by the federal
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the
state EPA. This method is commonly used for poultry,
companion animals, cattle, and sheep.
Rendering—Rendering cooks the carcasses to
destroy pathogens and produces usable end products
such as meat, feather, bone, and blood meal that can be
used in animal feeds. This is an environmentally safe
method for disposal of dead livestock and is used in
approximately 50% of the states, being the primary
method of recycling offal from meat processing plants.
There are restrictions on rendering sheep, goats, cattle,
and farm-raised deer or elk in some areas because of
concern that agents of transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies could be transmitted by the resulting
meat meal.2,7 Poultry carcasses are generally not ren-
dered with mammals, because the feathers require a
higher heat process that damages other proteins.
1004 Vet Med Today: Special Report
Therefore, the separate rendering facilities that are
required for poultry will limit the availability of this
method in some areas of the country.
Freezing stabilizes the carcass and reduces decom-
position prior to rendering that can result in reduction
of protein quality. Some rendering companies provide
freezers that are placed on the farm.13 In other situa-
tions, the producer must provide the freezers to hold
carcasses. The producer labor associated with render-
ing is similar to that for burial pits; carcasses are sim-
ply deposited in the freezer daily. When the freezer is
full, the rendering company picks up the carcasses and
transports them to the rendering facility. Cost of leas-
ing a freezer and receiving pick-up service is approxi-
mately $2,100/y, and the cost of the electricity to run
the freezer is additional. Overall, cost of this method is
approximately 5.25 to 12.15 cents/lb.5,6
Farms without freezers must locate the carcass in
a dry area where runoff or drainage is not a problem.
Carcasses intended for pickup should be hidden from
view and protected from wild animals and birds.13 In
addition, entry of the rendering truck onto animal pro-
duction or animal health facilities presents a biosecuri-
ty risk.7 Limited pickup schedules may preclude ren-
dering as a viable option. If a pickup service is not
available, carcasses should be transported by the pro-
ducer to the rendering plant in a sealed and leak-proof
container such as a sealed plastic garbage can as soon
as possible. A reasonable disposal time is 12 to 24
hours.
Poultry—There are a few additional methods for
disposal of poultry carcasses that may be approved on
an individual basis. These methods include feeding
poultry to alligators that are confined and commercial-
ly farmed,1 anaerobic bacterial fermentation of carcass-
es to stabilize the protein through acidification before
transportation to a rendering facility,1,14 and sealed
digesters that act much like septic systems.1,15 Each of
these methods of disposal is inspected and is subject to
regulations for proper carcass handling to protect pub-
lic health and ensure environmental safety.
Sheep—In some locations, rendering of sheep car-
casses is allowed, whereas elsewhere landfilling or
incineration is the only approved method.
Reimbursement for sheep with a transmissible spongi-
form encephalopathy may be provided by an indemni-
ty program and such sheep must be disposed of under
federal and state guidelines. Some landfills in Colorado
require a separate common pit for sheep. These pits are
approximately 8 ft deep, and carcasses are covered
daily with lye. In 1 area of Colorado, small ruminants
have been processed and fed to zoo animals.
Cattle—Most commonly, rendering plants pick up
dead cattle unless the region prohibits rendering of
bovine carcasses because of concern over transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies. In some instances, feed-
ing these carcasses to scavenging animals is used,
although this is not a desirable method of disposal.16 A
serious drawback to this method is that it may attract
predators to the area, which may cause increased pre-
dation of calves at calving time.
JAVMA, Vol 220, No. 7, April 1, 2002
 Swine—Burial, composting, and rendering are the
most commonly used methods of carcass disposal.
Companion animals—Check with state, local, and
professional associations to obtain approved methods
for carcass disposal in the area. Landfilling and incin-
eration are the most common methods for multiple-
animal disposals. Cremation, a form of incineration,
allows ash residue to be returned to the owner.
A special mention should be made regarding ani-
mals that may have died as the result of poisoning or
use of drugs for euthanasia. These carcasses should not
be used as food for other species; therefore, rendering
is not suggested. Another special mention should be
made regarding catastrophic events with high mortali-
ty rates. Established methods of carcass disposal may
become overwhelmed and not function adequately
when large numbers of dead animals must be
processed. Articles have been written to address such
problems.9,17 In such cases, it is advisable to consult
with the state veterinarian or the state’s Environmental
Protection Division.
Because of the variation in guidelines for carcass
disposal from county to county and state to state, the
regulatory agency that provides guidance will not be
the same for all users. Sources to contact include the
Department of Agriculture and the environmental
agency for your state, as well as the public health
department or public works. In addition, contact local
renderers or landfills to determine any limitations
regarding material that is acceptable for disposal.
References
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2. Casper J. The Maryland plan for disaster recovery: disposal
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3. Ill Comp Stat ch 225.
JAVMA, Vol 220, No. 7, April 1, 2002
View publication stats
4. Mo Rev Stat ch 269, §269-020 (1999).
5. Crews J, Donald J, Blake J. An economic evaluation of dead
bird disposal systems. Auburn, Ala: Circular ANR-914, Alabama
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6. Hammond C. Poultry composting facilities. Athens, Ga:
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Vet Med Today: Special Report 1005