Who to call by state
Virginia
In Virginia, who handles a dead animal depends a lot on where it is: VDOT manages state-maintained roads, while cities, many towns, and the counties of Arlington and Henrico handle many local roads. Virginia also has unusually specific wildlife rules, including a statute that lets people claim certain animals killed in vehicle collisions after reporting them to law enforcement. ([my.vdot.virginia.gov](https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/?source=post_page---------------------------&utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Road-killed deer salvage
- Virginia law allows a person to claim a deer, bear, turkey, or elk killed in a motor-vehicle collision for personal use if it is immediately reported and an officer provides a call-for-service or report number. ([law.lis.virginia.gov](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title29.1/chapter5/article4/?utm_source=openai))
Official resources in Virginia
Explains when VDOT does or does not maintain a road, including exceptions for cities, towns, Arlington, and Henrico.
Use this for general wildlife conflict guidance and the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline.
Official guidance for handling and reporting sick or dead wild birds in Virginia.
Virginia’s official law on claiming deer, bear, turkey, or elk killed in a motor-vehicle collision.
Key facts for Virginia
- VDOT’s road-report form includes an option for reporting an animal that needs to be removed from the road. ([my.vdot.virginia.gov](https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/?source=post_page---------------------------&utm_source=openai))
- VDOT says it generally does not maintain roads in cities, towns, or in Arlington and Henrico counties, except for interstates and major primary roads. ([vdot.virginia.gov](https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/contact/?utm_source=openai))
- Virginia’s state-maintained highway system includes 50,195 miles of secondary roads, but Arlington and Henrico maintain their own county roads. ([vdot.virginia.gov](https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/about/our-system/highways/?utm_source=openai))
- Cities and towns in Virginia maintain about 11,900 miles of urban streets with state funding assistance. ([vdot.virginia.gov](https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/about/our-system/highways/?utm_source=openai))
- If you want to keep a deer, bear, turkey, or elk killed in a vehicle collision, Virginia law requires immediate reporting to a conservation police officer or other local law-enforcement officer. ([law.lis.virginia.gov](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title29.1/chapter5/article4/?utm_source=openai))
- DWR asks Virginians not to handle sick or dead wild birds; if disposal is necessary, wear protection and bury or double-bag the carcass. ([dwr.virginia.gov](https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/avian-influenza/))
What to do next
- If the carcass is on an interstate, primary, or other state-maintained road, submit it through myVDOT first; if it is on a city/town street or in Arlington/Henrico, contact local public works or animal control. ([my.vdot.virginia.gov](https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/?source=post_page---------------------------&utm_source=openai))
- If the animal is a deer, bear, turkey, or elk and you want to keep it, report the collision immediately and get the officer’s call-for-service or report number before taking possession. ([law.lis.virginia.gov](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title29.1/chapter5/article4/?utm_source=openai))
- For multiple dead birds or raptors/waterfowl, use DWR bird-disease reporting channels instead of routine road cleanup reporting. ([dwr.virginia.gov](https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/avian-influenza/))
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