Make sure you clean up the lawn. Do not pick up or touch dead animals with your bare hands. Contact your state Wildlife agencies to make sure its legal to bury an animal in your yard. Tie a knot in the top of the bag. Be sure to call your local utilities department to mark the burial plot so that you can avoid attracting unwanted wildlife. An animals decaying carcass may contaminate the local water source. If you find a dead wild rabbit, dead from unknown causes, do not take the carcass home for human or animal consumption and do not process the pelt for sale or use. 5 Ways to Dispose of a Dead Rabbit in the Yard Give the Bunny a Burial Cremation the Rabbit Compost the Dead Rabbit Trash Disposal Using a Professional Service to Dispose Dead Rabbit Some FAQs about Disposing of a Dead Rabbit In Conclusion Considerations When You Have a Dead Rabbit in the Yard With your hands covered, select a suitable container for the animal. Whenever there is an unusual mortality or die-off of wildlife the Wildlife Investigations Lab should be contacted to determine if a necropsy and disease investigation is recommended. If you wish to bury the rabbit, you will need to find a spot that is at least 3 feet deep. This factor could invite pests or other adverse effects when using compost. | Privacy Policy, How To Properly Dispose A Dead Rabbit In Your Backyard, Pet Rabbit Not Eating or Skinny? United States In the case of pet rabbits, there wont usually be any outward sign of struggle on the body. If the rabbit is wild, stay away. When is a stationary rabbit not considered dead? A shovel with a long handle will make digging a hole in the yard much easier, and you can place the dead rabbit inside the hole. This solution also keeps you free from disposing of a dead rabbit in your yard on your own. In addition, if the carcass is not properly disposed of, it can lead to an increase in the population of flies which can further spread disease. There are about 300 cases per year in the US. It is possible that your rabbit enjoyed playing outside, and you would want to honor that by burying them in the vast outdoors. Learn More: How to find dead animal in house? However, you will want to be careful of where you bury your dead rabbit as some states and local authorities have strict rules of where you can bury an animal. You can bury the rabbit, burn it, or throw it away in the trash. Inspect the ground for blood, fur, flesh, or any other evidence of the dead animal. For example, you may sprinkle them in your yard like wildflower seeds. Rabbits should be buried at least 6 to 8 inches deep and covered with dirt, clay, or a similar substance. Small compost bins will not adequately break down the matter in proper time. Ultimately, the most humane way to get rid of rabbits is a combination of methods that are tailored to the individual situation. Leaving the rabbit for predators is another option. and Chapter 823.041, F.S. Research has shown that rabbits exhibit a number of mourning behaviors when one of their companions dies, such as remaining by the corpse for long periods of time, refusing to eat or drink, vocalizing loudly, and pawing at the body. 1701 Nimbus Road Suite D, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Rabbits may fall into a hibernation state resembling death when temperatures drop below freezing. If they are ill, you should recognize this and take precautions. If you see any of these signs, it is important to take the rabbit to a vet as soon as possible. Avoid handling a dead rabbit that has begun to decay over some time. Even though its not ideal, there are instances when you have no option but to toss your pet in the garbage. How-to Guide, Best Telescope Eyepieces & Eyepiece Sets [For The Budget], Snake Holes in Yard? Garbage disposal. Have you just returned from a trip and found a dead rabbit in your backyard? If a rabbit has a strong odor, this is a crucial indication. Dispose of the bag by placing it in the outdoor trash. While others would allow you to dispose of a dead animal in the trash or by burying it in your yard. If you do not want to handle the rabbits body with your hands, use the shovel. How to Dispose of Cat Litter Without Plastic Bags? You should use a pet box, place the rabbit dead body in it, bury it deep in your yard, and cover that place with soil to dispose of a rabbit. There are a few signs that a wild rabbit is dying. How you commemorate a rabbits passing is entirely up to you. There is some controversy surrounding the safety of using traps to kill rabbits. What You Need To Know. A dead wild rabbit may have passed away accidentally. Another way is to use an animal protection device, such as a live trap or cage, to capture and confine the rabbit until it can be released back into its natural environment. These animals will also pass away from fright, malnutrition, old age, or disease. Can You Bury the Dead Rabbit In Your Garden/Yard? Make sure your face is protected before you approach the dead rabbit. Of course, anybody would assume that a rabbit that is still and limp, as well as perhaps discolored, has died. If the rabbit is a pet, you may consider visiting your local rabbit specialist for help. 9 things you need to know. These elements will factor in if it was a pet or if it was wild in your area. Alternatively, if the box is more significant, consider going more profound, up to around four depths. The improper disposal of a dead wild rabbit can have a number of consequences. You might be interested: FAQ: How To Turn Off Rabbit Chat Sounds? The three This should be completed as fast as possible, with as little debate as possible, and the animal should be buried as soon as possible. When would an unmoving rabbit not be dead? This is the most effective way to kill any disease that may be present in the animal. What You Need To Know. Before we move on to the steps, a couple of reminders. A common visitor to backyards nationwide, rabbits are also one of the animals most likely to be found dead on the lawn. Then, place the bag in a second plastic bag and tie another knot. Then what will you do with the dead rabbit you discovered in your yard? Some people may opt for shooting, while others may prefer cage trapping or cervical dislocation. When several animals are cremated together as part of a group burial, the cost is split among the animals human relatives. If you find a sick or injured wild rabbit, the best course of action is to call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. So before you answer any of these questions, use caution to protect your safety. You can choose to use NFSCo to collect and dispose of your fallen stock. When dealing with these dangerous rabbits, its best to follow this advice and suggestions on how to get rid of the dead rabbit in your yard quickly and easily. This is a question that I have often wondered, as I have found many dead rabbits in the wild. Now, you can throw the bag into a trash bin or bury it inside your yard. First and foremost, protect your hands by donning a pair of solid material gloves. Dead animals weighing more than 15 pounds (or large numbers of dead animals) should be taken to a rendering plant, veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or pet cemetery, or buried on the owner's property. Your bins must be kept clean and disinfected, must have lids and be leakproof. Three common effective methods of carcass disposal are: incineration, burying, and rendering. The pre-exposure series consists of a total of three vaccinations (refer to Appendix E - California Compendium of Rabies Control and Prevention, 2004) and is highly efficacious in preventing rabies. What you need to know. With a little thought and planning, you can ensure that a dead wild rabbit is disposed of properly. Dispose of individual dead animals weighing less than 15 pounds in the household garbage. Trusted by thousands readers worldwide. To dispose of carcasses, please keep these precautions in mind and follow these instructions: When handling dead birds or other wildlife, work outdoors and try to stay upwind of the carcass. Persons who have direct contact with wildlife, especially carnivorous animals, on a regular basis are highly recommended to receive the rabies pre-exposure vaccination series. While this is an option for disposing of a dead rabbit, it is only viable if the compost you have is large enough to accommodate the body. Both can be organized by your vet, although for a burial you may want to do this yourself in a location of your choice. As a result, attempt to bury deceased animals as soon as possible to prevent the spread of disease. You can quickly construct a pet coffin for your beloved pet using a shoebox. Covering your face is as simple as donning a mask or a piece of fabric. Talk to your local sanitation department and see if they have a service available for your dead rabbit. The risk of contracting an airborne disease from a rabbit drops after you throw the body away, but bacteria can still cling to protective material. Rabbits are one of the best-loved animals, wild or domestic. If youre disposing of a pet rabbit, its still ideal to wrap the body in a plastic coating before burial. This is to eliminate the chances of you contracting any . Its possible to have your rabbit cremated as a memorial instead of burying it. Consider disposing of the animal at a local dump. If longer than a week, you can consider freezing the animal (fully bagged up) until the pick-up day. However, when burying a dead rabbit, put on the protective gloves first. Toxic waste from a dead animal may infect other animals, mainly if it was ill before it died. Additionally, their droppings can spread disease to other nearby creatures. A deceased rabbit will leave behind traces of its presence in the ground and should be cleaned before it is buried. When placing a dead animal into the trash, be mindful of the collection date. The best way to get rid of a rabbit is by lethal trapping or shooting. Proper disposal of the carcass (incineration, burying, etc.) Do wild creatures rummage through your trash? This is a good option if you do not want to deal with the body yourself. Remove your clothes and wash them as soon as possible. In warm, moist climates, it will decompose faster than in cold, dry climates. Oddly, one of the most common ways that Americans contract the airborne disease Tularemia is by running a lawnmower over the sites of dead rabbits. One option is to bury the rabbits below ground, either in an organic garden or shrubberies. 157 0 obj <>stream An acceptable alternative is to bury the carcass. Can Rabbits Eat Strawberries? Some rabbit-borne diseases are transmitted from skin contact. There are low-cost gloves of high quality and durable material available on Amazon. If possible, spray the carcass with a flea & tick spray prior to handling it. Thats why most veterinarians would offer to take care of yourrabbits remains when they diein their care. This method ensures that the body will not attract insects or other pests once the body begins to decompose. The best way to ensure the rabbit is dead is to monitor these signs: Once youve determined that the rabbit is deceased, its time to move on to disposal. The bag is now ready to be thrown away or buried in your yard. Dispose of the bag by placing it in the outdoor trash. There are many ways to dispose of a dead rabbit, but some methods are better than others. I recommend digging a hole at least two feet deep, to prevent scavengers from digging it up. No breathing: use the tried-and-true method of placing a finger under the nose Step-By-Step Guide Of How To Dispose Of A Dead Rabbit Once you've determined that the rabbit is deceased, it's time to move on to disposal. Most importantly, you should help to dispose of any dead animal in your yard quickly before it can become a problem. Be sure to cover the hole back up when you are finished. So, how do you dispose of a dead rabbit in your yard? Is there a foul odor coming from the rabbit? To ensure youre doing the right thing legally and environmentally, contact your local Wildlife Agency or Board of Health. Anyone will naturally think that an unmoving, limp, and perhaps discolored rabbit is dead. Can Rabbits Eat Radishes: Everything You Need To Know. 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