Who to call by state
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, who handles a dead animal depends mostly on where it is and what species it is. State-road carcasses often go through PennDOT, while sick, dead, or abnormal wild birds and mammals should be reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission; Pennsylvania also has specific rules for keeping road-killed deer or turkey.
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 →
- Road-killed deer salvage
- In Pennsylvania, you may immediately take possession of a deer or turkey evidently killed by a motor vehicle, but you must contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission within 24 hours to obtain a permit number.
Official resources in Pennsylvania
Use this official PennDOT form to report something that needs to be removed from a state road, including deer carcasses.
Explains how Pennsylvania residents report state-road issues online or by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD.
Official statewide guidance for reporting sick, injured, abnormal, or dead wild birds and mammals.
Pennsylvania’s regulation on when people may take possession of road-killed wildlife and when a permit or notification is required.
Lists Pennsylvania’s seasonal dead-bird reporting form for possible West Nile Virus testing.
Key facts for Pennsylvania
- PennDOT’s concern system includes a "Remove Something from Road" category for state-road reports.
- PennDOT says submissions are monitored Monday-Friday during normal business hours; urgent safety issues should be called in.
- PennDOT’s online form states it does not remove carcasses other than deer; for larger carcasses, contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
- PennDOT’s maintenance manual says the department has 24 hours from notice to remove dead animals from the traveled roadway unless public safety is at risk.
- Pennsylvania allows immediate possession of a deer or turkey evidently killed by a motor vehicle, but the person must contact the Game Commission within 24 hours for a permit number.
- DEP’s dead-bird reporting form for possible West Nile Virus testing is seasonal and is accepted April 1 through October 31.
What to do next
- First determine whether the animal is on a state-maintained road; if yes, use PennDOT’s Customer Care Center or call 1-800-FIX-ROAD.
- If the animal is a sick, dead, or abnormal wild bird or mammal, report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission through the Wildlife Health page or by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD.
- Do not handle carcasses unless you are authorized or disposal guidance specifically says it is appropriate; Pennsylvania’s wildlife pages repeatedly tell the public not to handle dead wildlife.
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