Free · State DOT reporting · Deer salvage rules
Dead animal on the road or in the yard? Here's who to call.
Whoever maintains the road usually removes the animal. Pick your state for the DOT reporting page, deer salvage rules and where to report dead birds, or use the who-to-call tool.
USDA reports more than 1.5 million U.S. deer-vehicle collisions yearly, causing over 100 deaths and $1 billion in vehicle damage.
USDA APHISCDC says most states set their own dead-animal disposal rules and directs residents to local or state officials.
CDCCDC says a dead bird can go in regular trash if local authorities tell you to bag it without bare-hand contact.
CDCWho to call by state
Dead animal removal: who to call in every state
Free tool
Start here
Why it matters
Do not move it with bare hands.
Dead wildlife can carry rabies, tularemia, avian influenza and parasites. Never touch a carcass with bare hands, keep pets away, and report animals that may be sick, such as groups of dead birds, to your state wildlife agency.
For animals on roads, the agency that maintains the road usually removes them: the state DOT on highways, the county on county roads, the city on local streets. On private property the owner is usually responsible, which is where safe disposal rules and private removal services come in.
Guides
Plain answers, sourced
Who removes dead animals on roads?
Learn who removes dead animals on roads, when to call 911, and who to contact for state highways, county roads, city streets, and private property.
Read →Dead animal on private property: whose job is it?
Usually, a dead animal on private property is the owner's problem. Learn who to call, when cities may help, and how to handle cleanup safely.
Read →Dead deer removal: roads, yards and salvage permits
Who removes a dead deer from a road or yard, when roadkill salvage is legal, and how to check state and local rules for safe disposal.
Read →Dead animal under a house or in a wall: finding it and the smell
How to find a dead animal under a house or in a wall, handle the smell safely, and know when to call local services or a removal pro.
Read →How to safely dispose of a dead animal yourself
Learn when and how to dispose of a dead animal yourself, when to call local agencies, and how to clean up safely under common U.S. rules.
Read →Dead animal removal cost
Dead animal removal can cost nothing or more than $100, depending on location, size, and local rules. Learn when pickup is free, paid, or DIY.
Read →Featured partners