Animal Services only picks up dead animals when the owner is unknown and the animal is on the public right-of-way. Dead animals should never be placed in a regular green garbage or blue recycling bins.
Animal Services does not pick-up deceased owned animals. It is the pet owner's responsibility to transport the deceased pet to Animal Services or the County's landfill.
Animal Services responds to injured animals as a priority. If you see a dog that has been possibly hit by a car, please contact us immediately.
Related FAQs
Animal Services will only pick up a dead animal on the public right-of-way such as:
US1, South Dixie Highway
Kendall Drive
Bird Road
Tamiami Trail
Owners are responsible for removing dead animals from private property
You can request a dead animal pick up from the right-of-way by using this online form or by calling 311.
Please be ready to provide the following information:
A detailed location description
If the Animal causing a hazard
What type of animal it is
The approximate size of the animal
The number of animals
Animal Services picks up dead animals located on public property within unincorporated and municipalities, with the exception of the following:
These municipalities handle all animal services requests:
City of Miami - Call 311
City of Coral Gables - Call 305-460-5346 - 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
City of Miami Beach - Call 305-673-7616 - 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
City of North Miami - Call 305-895-9876 - 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
City of Homestead - Call 305-224-5584 - 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Public Information Office for the Florida Turnpike handles all dead animal pickups on the Turnpike Mainline, Sawgrass Expressway and Homestead Extension. Call FHP at *347 and be prepared to advise FHP of the location of the dead animal and the closest exit/entrance to or from the highway.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) picks up dead animals on state highways, including those maintained by the Maintenance Contractor (DB). If the dead animal is on SR 826, 970, I-395, I-195 and I-95 in Miami-Dade County, call FDOT at 305-640-7200 or 305-640-7197.
If your dog was hit by a car, move the injured animal and yourself to safety and immediately take your pet to be treated by a veterinary medical care professional. Pet owners have primary responsibility for the health and well-being of their dog or cat. Animal Services does not provide veterinary care for owned pets.
Animal Services handles the pickup of stray, injured dogs or cats on public property areas. If the wounded animal is on private property, even if the caller is not the owner, someone must be present to permit access to the property.
If the injured animal and its owner are unknown, you can report it by calling 311.
State Statute Title XLVI regulates the disposal of dead animal bodies (equates to 46) Crimes Chapter 823 Public Nuisances, Section 823.041 Disposal of bodies of dead animals.
A summary of the statute is as follows:
Upon the death of domestic animals due to disease, the owner or custodian of the animal can dispose of the animal's body by burying it at least 2 feet below the ground's surface. Nothing in Section 823.04 prohibits the disposal of animal carcasses to rendering companies licensed to do business in this state.
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