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New Yorkers Can Now Be Buried Next to Their Dog

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A statue of a dog surrounded by leaves in a cemetery where New Yorkers are buried.
Andrew Malone/Flickr

For those New Yorkers who want to be with their dogs forever, now they can.

Governor Andre Cuomo recently signed into the legislation a bill that will allow people to be buried next to their pet.

“For many New Yorkers, their pets are members of the family,” Gov. Cuomo said in a statement. “This legislation will roll back this unnecessary regulation and give cemeteries the option to honor the last wishes of pet lovers across New York.”

Related: A Brooklyn Park Wants Your Dog Poop for New Program

In order for dogs, and other pets, to be buried alongside their owner, the animal must have been cremated. The cemetery must also provide consent and it only applies to cemeteries that are nonprofits, not those owned by religious organizations.

Cremated pets need to be buried next to someone – meaning they can’t be buried by themselves in cemetery.

This new law is just the latest to make New York more dog friendly. The state recently passed a law allowing dogs to be in restaurant’s outdoor seating area. In recent times, New York has also passed laws for stricter penalties in animal abuse cases and more oversight on pet dealers.

Related: Finally! Dogs Allowed on Restaurant Patios in New York

“When this bill becomes law, owners and their pets will finally be allowed to have their pet interred with them,” says Assemblyman James F. Brennan. “The pet/caregiver relationship is a very special one and I am happy that this relationship will finally be honored.”

By Andrea Huspeni

Andrea Huspeni is the founder and CEO of This Dog's Life. Her mission it to help dogs live a happier, healthier and longer life. When she isn't working, she spends time with her two dogs, Lola and Milo. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

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