If You Find a Dead Animal

When to Call Animal Control

Call Animal Control at 703-931-9241 if:

• The dead animal is one of these (they can carry rabies):

• Raccoon
• Fox
• Bat
• Groundhog
• Skunk

• A deer is blocking traffic in a County right-of-way
• You find an unclaimed companion animal (such as a dog or cat)

Animal Control does NOT pick up these animals. Follow the steps in the next section to get rid of them safely.

• Squirrel
• Rabbit
• Mouse
• Rat
• Chipmunk
• Bird (except eagles)
• Deer on state roads (report these to VDOT at my.vdot.virginia.gov or 1-800-367-7623).

If You Need to Get Rid of a Dead Animal

If you find an animal that Animal Control will not pick up, follow these steps to get rid of it safely:

• Do not touch the animal with bare hands
• Pick it up like pet waste:
  • Wear plastic gloves or turn a bag inside out over your hand
  • Grab the animal
  • Pull the bag over it and tie the top in a knot

• Throw it away in an outdoor trash can

• Wash your hands well after you're done

If You Find a Dead Bird

Report to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources at 1-855-571-9003 or wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov if you see:

• Five or more dead vultures, waterfowl, shorebirds, or seabirds in the same area within five days
• Sick or dead eagles, hawks, owls, or turkeys, excluding ones found on the road
• Ten or more dead wild birds of any species in the same area within five days