Who to call by state
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, dead animals on state highways are handled through RIDOT’s roadway-hazard system, while wildlife rules and disease reporting come from DEM. Rhode Island has no county governments, so dead-animal issues off state-maintained roads are typically handled by the city or town where the road is located. ([dot.ri.gov](https://dot.ri.gov/about/maproom/State_Maintained_Roads.php))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Road-killed deer salvage
- Yes—Rhode Island residents may salvage road-killed deer if they obtain DEM’s Wildlife Roadkill Salvage permit/report within 24 hours of collection or possession; phone reporting is also published at 401-789-0281. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/wildlife-salvage-permit))
- Report dead birds or sick wildlife
- Official page →
Official resources in Rhode Island
Use this map to see whether a road is state-maintained; RIDOT says hazards on roads not maintained by RIDOT should be reported to the local city or town. ([dot.ri.gov](https://dot.ri.gov/about/maproom/State_Maintained_Roads.php))
RIDOT publishes its 24/7 Transportation Management Center number here for reporting roadway hazards on state roads. ([dot.ri.gov](https://www.dot.ri.gov/travel/?utm_source=openai))
Residents use this DEM page to report and obtain the required permit for salvaging eligible road-killed wildlife. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/wildlife-salvage-permit))
DEM directs residents to its Bird Illness & Mortality Reporting Form from this page and explains which dead or sick wild birds to report. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/agriculture/animal-health/avian-influenza-h5n1?utm_source=openai))
DEM publishes Fish & Wildlife contact numbers here for injured or orphaned wild animals and after-hours emergencies. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/contact-us?utm_source=openai))
Key facts for Rhode Island
- RIDOT says roadway hazards on state roads can be reported 24/7 to its Transportation Management Center at 401-222-2378. ([dot.ri.gov](https://www.dot.ri.gov/travel/?utm_source=openai))
- RIDOT says if a road is not state-maintained, contact the city or town where it is located. ([dot.ri.gov](https://dot.ri.gov/about/maproom/State_Maintained_Roads.php))
- Rhode Island has five counties but no county governmental structure. ([treasury.ri.gov](https://treasury.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur646/files/assets/5a286fb323f81205cb1f6d50/State_of_RI_COPS_2017_Series_A_B_C_D_E_Supplement.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- DEM says it responds to pick up deceased deer as resources allow, but some carcasses cannot be safely removed because of location. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/law-enforcement?utm_source=openai))
- Rhode Island allows salvage of white-tailed deer and certain other road-killed wildlife, but a DEM permit/report is required within 24 hours. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/wildlife-salvage-permit))
- DEM says dead or sick waterfowl, shorebirds, and herons should be reported with its Bird Illness & Mortality Reporting Form. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/agriculture/animal-health/avian-influenza-h5n1?utm_source=openai))
What to do next
- First check whether the road is state-maintained on RIDOT’s map; if yes, call 401-222-2378, and if not, use the same page to reach the local city or town. ([dot.ri.gov](https://dot.ri.gov/about/maproom/State_Maintained_Roads.php))
- If you plan to keep a road-killed deer, complete DEM’s salvage permit/report within 24 hours and keep the permit until the meat is packaged or the hide is processed. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/wildlife-salvage-permit))
- For dead or sick wild birds, use DEM’s bird-report form; for injured or orphaned wildlife, call DEM Fish & Wildlife at 401-789-0281 or after hours 401-222-3070. ([dem.ri.gov](https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/agriculture-and-forest-environment/agriculture/animal-health/avian-influenza-h5n1?utm_source=openai))
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