Pet owners issued warning over £5,000 fine if they bury cat or dog in garden

-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Pet owners are being warned they could be handed a huge £5,000 fine if they bury their beloved cat or dog in their garden. There are a number of gardening rules that UK residents must stick to.

If you break them, you could end up with a hefty penalty. Other rules include restrictions on the heights of hedges and fences.

If too tall, there could be potential safety risks. It is also possible to fall foul of water usage restrictions and have invasive plants and noxious weeds.

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Angela Slater, an expert at Hayes Garden World, has issued her top tips to help Brits avoid falling foul of certain regulations, Mirror reports.

1. Fence and hedge height restrictions

Before you put a hedge or fence in your garden, your neighbour has to agree to it as well. Make sure you inform your neighbours of your plans to avoid any disturbance.

If you want to build a fence which is more than 2m tall - or 1m if it is next to a highway used by vehicles - you will need planning permission. Ms Slater said: "The standard hedge and fence height that provides enough privacy is usually a maximum of two metres.

"Anything above two metres could be a nuisance for your neighbours and potentially block sunlight into their garden, or even cause safety concerns."

2. Incorrectly burying a pet

Many people do not know that you are not allowed to bury a pet in your garden if you live in a rented property - as they are technically not your grounds. Also, avoid burying your pet in a public space as this is illegal.

The burial should also not be in contact with any water sources and your pet must be buried at least three feet deep in light soil to safeguard against scavengers. An improperly dug pet burial can land you with a fine of up to £5,000.

3. Water usage restrictions

You could land in trouble if you breach restrictions on water usage. Ms Slater said: "Warmer weather naturally encourages a higher demand for water, which can lead to water usage restrictions in certain areas of the UK.

"During summer, areas with limited water supply may be imposed with water usage restrictions - commonly known as a hosepipe ban. In a bid to save water and avoid drought, water companies restrict unnecessary usage such as watering your garden, lawn, car or even having a water fight.

"If caught using your hosepipe, you can potentially be fined up to £1,000 or even prosecuted in court."

4. Invasive plants and noxious weeds

You will need to take action if certain plants and weeds are found at your property. Ms Slater said: "If you find you have invasive plants and noxious weeds, such as Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed, in your garden, you will need to take action, or you will face a fine of up to £5,000.

"These plants can cause massive ecological damage by causing extinction to other animals and plants. Japanese knotweed specifically can create serious damage to drain pipework, but removing it can be the main difficulty.

"If you find yourself with these plants in your garden, it is best to contact a professional urgently; it is your responsibility to get them removed from your garden to avoid extensive damage."

5. Right to privacy and light

You could end up in trouble if you do not respect your neighbour's privacy or even plant trees which block their light. Ms Slater said: "Privacy is hugely important and deserved by everyone, which is why making sure you are not impeaching on your neighbour's space is the first rule of thumb.

"Whether your trees, plants or shrubs have overgrown into your neighbour's garden or you have a new garden camera installed, make sure to be respectful and keep everything contained in your own garden. High hedges and overgrown trees and shrubs may be a beautiful addition to your garden, but they can risk restricting light into your neighbour's garden.

"If you notice that this is a nuisance for your neighbour, the first port of call is to have a conversation with them to try and find a resolution. If this fails, they may apply for a High Hedge Notice. This means that if the hedge meets the criteria, the council has the power to reduce the height of the hedge or even remove it completely.

"If you refuse to allow entry to the land for removal, you could be fined up to £1,000."