How to report a dead animal that needs collecting
Our dead animal removal service
We can only remove dead animals, which are on council land, public areas and adopted highway.
We can’t remove:
- dead animals from private land.
- dead animals from a fast flowing road.
- small dead wildlife, for example rats, pigeons.
For further information, please contact the Environment Agency.
Check for an incident
Before you report the dead animal, please check it’s not been reported already on our map below.
The blocks coloured red are live incidents we’re already dealing with. If you’ve spotted a dead animal that already shows on the map as red, you don’t need to report this; we’re already aware.
The orange blocks are incidents we’re aware of, but can’t clear as they’re on private land.
Report a dead animal
You can report a dead animal using our online report form.
To report a dead animal you'll need:
- a description of the animal
- the location of the animal
What happens next?
Once we've received a report, we aim to collect the animal within two working days.
Dead dogs and cats that are reported and collected are scanned for microchip information, and we'll try to contact the registered owner.
If you've lost or found a dog, please visit our lost and stray dogs page.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
If you find multiple numbers of dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you may need to report them to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
The only time DEFRA need to be told of bird deaths is
- one or more dead bird of prey or owl
- 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks).
- 5 or more dead birds of any species.
How to deal with dead birds
Public Land
- Do not put them in litter bins
- Report to clean up and we will deal with reported dead birds on council land which is readily accessible by the public as soon as reasonably possible. This may be up to 5 working days in lower risk areas which have low footfall. Within playgrounds, school routes and other sensitive locations will be treated as a priority. Town centres will be dealt with in the usual course of cleansing operations
- We will not clear dead birds from waterways, ditches or the sides of roads that do not have footpaths
Private Land
- The council does not remove dead birds from private land
- The rules for collection and disposal are set out on the GOV.UK website
- This may require use of specialist disposal contractors and controls
Private Gardens
- The Council does not collect these separately
- Use disposable gloves if you have them or put a bag over your hand
- Carefully place the dead bird into a plastic bag (any bag big enough will do) and tie it shut
- Put the first bag in to a second bag and also tie this shut
- Put it in the black bin as normal waste and it will be collected in the usual way
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry your hands