Who Picks Up Dead Animals in Pennsylvania?
The complete Pennsylvania answer: who's responsible for what, when service is free vs paid, and how to get same-day pickup if it's on your private property.
- $300–$1,000
- Flat rate, by animal size
- Under 4 hr
- Same-day response target
- No trip fee
- Quoted on the call
- ✓ Cite-able · Updated 2026-06
- ✓ 51 Pennsylvania cities covered
- ✓ Same-day private pickup
Who picks up dead animals in Pennsylvania?
Three different bodies, decided by where the carcass lies. Municipal public works clears the public right-of-way — streets, sidewalks, parks — at no charge. PennDOT clears state routes and interstates, also free. Anything on your own property is yours: a licensed operator, or handle it yourself.
The Pennsylvania Dead-Animal Pickup System in One Page
Three actors share dead-animal pickup duty in Pennsylvania depending on WHERE the carcass is found. Get the jurisdiction right and you get the fastest, cheapest response.
🏛 City Public Works
What: Carcasses in the public right-of-way — city streets, sidewalks, alleys, public parks.
Cost: Free (it's part of municipal solid-waste service).
Response: 1–3 business days, sometimes longer in winter.
Limits: Many won't enter private property. Some won't handle rabies-vector species (raccoon, skunk, bat, fox, coyote) — they refer to Pennsylvania Game Commission or a private operator.
How to call: Call your city's general non-emergency line or 311 if available.
🛣 PennDOT
What: Carcasses on state routes, US highways, and interstates (I-76, I-78, I-79, I-80, I-81, I-83, I-90, I-376, US-22, US-30, etc.).
Cost: Free.
Response: 24–48 hours typical, faster for highway-safety hazards.
Limits: PennDOT does NOT handle city streets, county roads, or private property. County engineers handle most county-classified roads.
How to call: PennDOT customer service or your county PennDOT district office.
🏠 Private Property (You)
What: Yard, driveway, garage, attic, walls, crawlspace, under deck, chimney — anywhere on your property.
Cost: Paid service — typical Pennsylvania range $300–$400 for small animals, higher for attic and wall recoveries; deer $600–$1,000.
Response: Same-day, under 4 hours from phone quote (licensed wildlife operator).
Limits: You DIY (gloves + double-bag, non-vector species only) OR call a licensed operator. City public works won't enter private property; PennDOT doesn't either.
How to call: (717) 912-9692 for any of our 51 Pennsylvania cities.
Dead animal on your private property right now?
Phone quote in minutes. On-site under 4 hours.
📞 (717) 912-9692City-Specific Pickup Details — Pennsylvania Metros We Serve
Each Pennsylvania metro has a slightly different setup for who handles what. Below is the breakdown for the 5 cities Pennsylvania Dead Animal Removal serves.
- Harrisburg (Dauphin County): Harrisburg Public Works handles city right-of-way. PennDOT handles I-81/I-83/US-22/322. Dauphin County solid-waste program handles disposal questions. Private property: licensed wildlife operator.
- Pittsburgh (Allegheny County): Pittsburgh Public Works handles city right-of-way. PennDOT handles I-376/I-79/I-279. Allegheny County solid-waste program handles disposal guidance. Private property: licensed wildlife operator.
- Allentown (Lehigh County): Allentown Public Works handles city right-of-way. PennDOT handles I-78/US-22/PA-33. Lehigh County solid-waste program handles disposal. Private property: licensed wildlife operator.
- Scranton (Lackawanna County): Scranton Public Works handles city right-of-way. PennDOT handles I-81/I-84/I-476. Lackawanna County solid-waste program handles disposal. Private property: licensed wildlife operator.
- Erie (Erie County): Erie Public Works handles city right-of-way. PennDOT handles I-79/I-90/US-20. Erie County solid-waste program handles disposal. Private property: licensed wildlife operator.
Who Picks Up Dead Animals in Pennsylvania — FAQ
Will the city pick up a dead animal from my yard?
Who handles dead deer on Pennsylvania roads?
Is dead animal pickup free in Pennsylvania?
How fast will the city or a private operator respond?
What if it's a rabies-vector species (raccoon, skunk, bat, fox)?
Who handles a dead cat (stray, owner unknown)?
Official sources
Every legal statement on this page traces to one of the sources below. Each was retrieved and read on the date shown. Where a source is agency guidance rather than law, it is labelled as such in the text.
- 25 Pa. Code § 243.11 — Disposal of dead animals — three approved methods, 2 ft of cover, 100 ft setback from waters of the Commonwealth, 24-hour deadline, unslaked lime where communicable disease is involved
- Pennsylvania Game Commission — Vehicle-killed deer possession rules; Centralized Dispatch Center 1-833-PGC-WILD, staffed 24/7
- CDC — Rabies — Federal guidance on handling animals that may be rabies vectors
Accuracy and review
- Last reviewed
- Reviewed against
- 25 Pa. Code (Environmental Protection) · Pennsylvania Game Commission · CDC
- Editorial process
- See our editorial policy
This page is general information for Pennsylvania homeowners, not legal advice. Statements of law are quoted from the state's own code or administrative rules and linked to the official text. Statements of agency guidance are labelled as guidance, not law. Local ordinances, county health rules and waste-hauler policies vary and can be stricter than state law — confirm locally before acting. 25 Pa. Code § 243.11 applies to “a dead animal not killed for food” — broad enough to reach pets and wildlife, unlike the disposal statutes of several neighbouring states.
Think something here is wrong? We would rather be corrected than be cited incorrectly. Tell us what is inaccurate and, if possible, the official source that says otherwise — send a correction or call (717) 912-9692. Corrections to law or agency contact details are reviewed and, where verified, applied and dated.
If no public agency covers it
Calls route to an independent licensed operator covering your county. Pennsylvania Dead Animal Removal is an advertising service, not a removal company. Where a city, county or state office does cover it, the routes above are free — try them first.