The news has caused a lot of controversy since it emerged.
A healthy dog was put to death in Virginia, America at the behest of its owner, who made the request in her will.
The dog, named Emma, arrived at the Chesterfield Animal Shelter on 8 March, where shelter personnel had a number of discussions with the executor of the dead woman’s estate, according to NBC, who originally reported the news.
“We did suggest they could sign the dog over on numerous occasions, because it’s a dog we could easily find a home for and re-home,” said Carrie Jones, manager of Chesterfield Animal Services. “Ultimately, they came back in on March 22nd and redeemed the dog.”
The dog was then transported to a local vet’s office by the executor of the will, where she was euthanised, and then taken to a Richmond pet cremation centre.
Her ashes were then placed in an urn and returned to the authorised representative of the estate, in accordance with the dead woman’s will.
In Virginia, with few exceptions, burying animal remains with human remains in the same cemetery plot is against the law.
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