Pet Carcass Disposal & Roadkill Reporting
Under Korean law, burying dead pets in soil (even private yards) is illegal. Choose one of three legal options: registered pet crematorium, vet clinic medical waste, or general trash bag.
Follow these steps
- 1
Do not bury dead pets in soil; choose a legally approved disposal option.
- 2
For pet cremation, verify the funeral home is registered on animal.go.kr.
- 3
If deceased at a vet clinic, request disposal as medical waste.
- 4
If using general trash bags, double-wrap hygienically before placing inside trash bags.
- 5
File a pet death de-registration notice within 30 days on animal.go.kr.
- 6
For street roadkill, report location to Seoul Call Center 120 immediately.
Frequently asked question
Do disposal rules differ depending on the animal species (e.g., dogs, cats, lizards, snakes, hamsters)?
No. The same Waste Management and Animal Protection laws apply to all domestic pets regardless of species. Soil burial is strictly prohibited.
Can I bury my pet in my own private yard?
No. Soil burial even on private property is strictly illegal to prevent water/soil contamination.
Is it legal to dispose of a pet carcass in a standard trash bag?
Yes, it is legally permitted. Under Waste Management law, pet carcasses handled individually at home are classified as general municipal waste.
Do I need to report my pet's death to the local government?
Yes, for registered pets. You must submit a de-registration notice within 30 days of death via animal.go.kr.
Who should I call if I spot roadkill on the street?
Call Seoul Call Center 120 for city streets, and Korea Expressway Corp (1588-2504) for expressways.