You can report a dead animal on Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) property.

This includes:

• City parks
• Public beaches
• Recreation Centers
• Sidewalks next to DPR property

DPR also responds to reports of dead animals on public property such as:

• Ponds
• Streams
• Small bodies of water
• Parkways

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) does not normally pick up or remove dead animals from private property. If the dead animal did not show signs of rabies or if it did not scratch or bite a person or a pet, it is your responsibility as the property owner to dispose of the dead animal.

You may bring the remains to an ACC drop-off location, where they will be cremated. There is a $50 fee for bringing a deceased pet. There is no fee for bringing in stray animals.

You can also put the remains out for pick up by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). DSNY does not remove dead animals from private property. If you choose to put the dead animal out for pick up by DSNY, the remains may be placed in a heavy-duty black plastic bag or double plastic bag and a note should be taped to the bag stating its contents (for example, "dead dog" or "dead cat"). Animals that may have been rabid should not be put in the trash.

Deceased Pets

You can bring the remains of a deceased pet to an ACC drop-off location for cremation. There is a $50 fee for each pet you bring in to be cremated. If you are a private property owner, you can bury deceased pets on your property.

ACC Drop-off Locations:

If you are the property owner or an authorized representative, you can request the removal of a dead deer from your residential private property.

You will need to sign a waiver before the deer can be removed by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

In your request for removal, you must provide:

• Your name and phone number
• The location of the deer (front yard, side yard, back yard)
• What time you would be available in person to sign the waiver

All information provided must be accurate and complete. Anonymous requests are not accepted.

DSNY will respond on a priority basis.

Removal Requests Not Accepted by DSNY

Removal requests are not accepted for commercial businesses or institutions. DSNY will only pick up dead deer from residential private property.

For removal of other dead animals, you may place them in a heavy duty black plastic bag on your day of collection with a note taped to the bag stating what's inside. For example, if you're disposing of a dead cat, a note saying "dead cat" would suffice.

Do not leave animals for collection if they may have been rabid.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will investigate clusters of 10 or more dead birds and 3 or more dead geese, swans, ducks, chicken, or turkeys. DOHMH may collect some of the birds for West Nile Virus testing. An investigation will determine if the birds will be collected.

DOHMH does not accept reports about between 1 and 9 dead birds, or 1 or 2 dead waterfowl or poultry, for possible disease testing and monitoring for West Nile Virus. During mosquito season, April 1 to October 31, DOHMH surveys mosquito populations on a weekly basis for the presence of West Nile Virus at locations throughout the City.

How to Safely Dispose of Dead Birds

To dispose of 9 or fewer dead birds or 1 or 2 dead geese, swans, ducks, chickens, or turkeys found on private property, use plastic bags or disposable rubber gloves to put the dead bird or birds in a double plastic bag. Place the bag outdoors for trash collection. Wash your hands with warm soapy water afterwards.

You can report large groups of dead fish in the major harbors and bays surrounding New York City, including:

• Jamaica Bay
• Sheepshead Bay
• New York Harbor

Online

Report dead fish in a harbor or bay.

By Phone