Pet cemeteries in Dnipro: do they pose an ecological threat? (PHOTOS)

As in many cities across Ukraine, Dnipro has pet cemeteries. As of 2025, there are eight of them, with the largest located in residential areas such as Pobeda, Krasnyy Kamen, Topol, and around Kosmicheskaya Street. However, officials from the Dnipropetrovsk region's State Consumer Service claim that these cemeteries are illegal and pose a threat to human life. This was reported by "Vedomosti," citing Telekanal D1 and "Nash Misto".

In the green zone of the Krasnyy Kamen residential area lies one of the most unauthorized pet cemeteries. Here, local residents bury their beloved pets, erecting monuments and fences. People bring flowers, toys, food, bedding, and other personal items for their animals. The area of this makeshift cemetery continues to expand even after trees have been cut down on the site.

Among the graves, one can find headstones with dates, including some from 2024, and certain burials have turned into entire "family vaults."

According to current Ukrainian legislation, burying animals in the ground is prohibited. The bodies of deceased animals are considered biological waste and must be disposed of by specialized enterprises. This is due to ecological and sanitary regulations, as improper burial can contaminate soil, groundwater, and pose risks of spreading infections.

To address this, Dnipro offers a special service provided by the municipal enterprise "Zookontrol," which has all the necessary resources for the proper disposal of animal bodies in compliance with environmental and sanitary requirements.

Nevertheless, for many pet owners, the topic of disposal evokes moral resistance, as they wish to honor the memory of their beloved companions in a manner similar to that of humans. The lack of official burial sites for pets forces them to seek illegal alternatives.

Residents note that the issue could be resolved by creating legal pet cemeteries where owners can bid farewell to their beloved animals with dignity, without breaking the law. Such places should operate under rules that do not harm the environment and consider moral aspects.

So far, this issue remains overlooked by local authorities in Dnipro, prompting residents to find their own ways to commemorate their four-legged friends.