Waste management: equine carcass disposal

摘要

Disposal of horses that are euthanatized on-farm poses many challenges to today's practitioner. In most states, responsibility for carcass disposal is that of the veterinarian. Generally, most state laws require that the carcass be disposed of within24 to 72 hours after euthanasia unless it is refrigerated or frozen, and each state has approved disposal methods. Without proper disposal, carcasses can threaten the health of wild and domestic animals as well as humans. Many states consider failure tocomply with disposal guidelines a misdemeanor or felony, and a veterinary practitioner can be held liable for failure to comply. Additionally, conviction on such charges could then subject the veterinarian to disciplinary proceedings by the state's veterinary licensing board or similar authority. Sociolegal aspects have also come into play recently, with many waste management and rendering facilities considering euthanatized animals as biomedical waste.