Who to call by state
Kentucky
In Kentucky, dead animals on state-maintained highways are routed through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), usually through district offices or KYTC’s online hazard form. For local roads, county road departments and city street/public works departments are the usual contacts, while Kentucky Fish and Wildlife handles reports of sick or dead wild animals and birds.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Report on a state road
- Official page →
- Report dead birds or sick wildlife
- Official page →
Official resources in Kentucky
Use this page to find your KYTC highway district office and the cabinet’s online reporting links for state-road problems.
KYTC’s online hazard form for state highways; the form includes an “Other” hazard option and asks for route, county, and description.
Directory to find county officials and contact information when a dead animal is on a county road.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s main page for reporting sick or dead wild animals, including deer, birds, bats, and other wildlife.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s bird-specific page for reporting sick or dead wild birds and reviewing current avian influenza guidance.
Key facts for Kentucky
- KYTC maintains more than 27,000 miles of state highways; state-road problems go to KYTC district offices or its online hazard form. (KYTC)
- KYTC says county road problems should be reported to the county road department. (KYTC Department of Rural and Municipal Aid)
- Kentucky cities typically maintain city streets as a core municipal responsibility. (Kentucky League of Cities)
- KDFWR investigates reports of sick or dead wild mammals, amphibians, fish, reptiles, and birds. (KDFWR)
- KDFWR says not to use its wildlife disease system for requests to remove dead animals. (KDFWR)
- KDFWR provides a specific online reporting application for sick or dead wild birds. (KDFWR)
What to do next
- If the carcass is on an interstate, parkway, or numbered state route, submit KYTC’s hazard form and include the route number, county, travel direction, and nearest landmark or mile marker.
- If the animal is on a county road, contact the county road department; if it is on a city street, contact that city’s streets or public works department.
- For sick or dead deer, birds, or other wildlife, report it to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife online and avoid handling the carcass unless absolutely necessary.
Helpful guides
- Who removes dead animals on roads?
- Dead animal on private property: whose job is it?
- Dead deer removal: roads, yards and salvage permits
- Dead animal under a house or in a wall: finding it and the smell