Catholic priest sues town and pet owner over dog burial

He had to draw the line somewhere. His name is Rev. Gerald Baker, from Morganfield. In today's post is Uniontown, Kentucky's city cemetery where, since 1999 a little rat terrier was buried without a headstone. That is without a headstone... until last summer. "The stone read, "In memory of S___head". Evidently, those who had purchased plots started asking for their money back. Now there is legislation, House Bill 242. The Uniontown city government has since revised their policy of pet burials in its city cemetery to say that pet burials are NOT ALLOWED. The case was settled out of court and the woman, Ms./Mrs. Hagan, removed her dog from the cemetery along with its headstone. The article indicated that she had the best intentions in mind and meant no disrespect. I wonder, exactly, the argument of the Rev. Gerald Baker, of the Diocese of Owensboro, serving St. Ann Catholic Church in Morganfield. Mass Schedule St Ann Parish , 304 Church St., Morganfield, KY 42437 Phone: (270) 389-2287 Fax: (270) 389-0219

" Hagan maintained she had first obtained the verbal approval of the
former Uniontown mayor before burying her dog. She was not available for comment Thursday, but earlier told The Gleaner she meant no disrespect to anyone -- she just loved her dog, smelly name and all."

Commonwealth of Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
General Assembly Local Mandate Fiscal Impact Estimate

2008 REGULAR SESSION
Measure Information
Bill Request #: 339
Bill #: HB 242

Bill Subject/Title: Public cemeteries,
burial of animals

Sponsor: Rep. John Arnold

Unit of Government: X City X County X Urban-County
X Charter County X Consolidated Local

Office(s) Impacted General government

Requirement: X Mandatory  Optional

Effect on   
Powers & Duties X Modifies Existing
Adds New  Eliminates Existing
Purpose and Mechanics

HB 242 amends KRS 381.697 to prohibit the burial of
animals in public cemeteries unless written consent
is obtained from the cemetery owners or board.

Fiscal Explanation, Bill Provisions, and Estimated Cost

The fiscal impact of HB 242 on local governments is minimal
and limited to those local governments that own or operate
public cemeteries. There are currently 80 cemeteries in
Kentucky that are owned or operated by local governments,
primarily cities.  Unless prohibition of the burial of animals
is already a rule in these cemeteries, it will be necessary
for cemetery administrators to amend their rules and change
any literature or signs that address cemetery rules.

Data Source(s): Attorney General's Office


Preparer: Mary Lynn Collins Reviewer:  Date: