Pet cemetery at Calgary dump closes

Calgarians can no longer bury their pets at a pet cemetery at the Sheppard landfill.

For years, people have been able to bury their animals free of charge at an unofficial pet cemetery. But that option's no longer available.

Pet owner Keith Ross was dismayed to find that out when he tried to bury his beloved dog last weekend. He said instead of burying Shaggy, he had to dispose of the dog in the dump.

"I stood there for a while and contemplated just bringing the dog home and burying him in the backyard, bylaw be damned," Ross said. "I stood there and I didn't know what to really do. We have no children, our pets are our children and its tough when you have to take care of one of them that way. It's very hard to do."

Ross said he has buried other dogs at the pet cemetery over the years. He said he couldn't afford to cremate his pet.

The Calgary Humane Society is planning to start a program offering affordable cremation services to pet owners.