COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
HIGHWAY DIVISION
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SUBJECT: Disposal of Animal Carcasses
EFFECTIVE:
9/29/10
ISSUED:
9/29/10
S.O.P.NO. ENV-01-10-1-000
PAGE 1 OF 1
DISTRIBUTION:
A
SUPERSEDES: ENV-01-10-1-000,
Dated 8/13/08
AUTHORIZED:Signature
on original
PURPOSE
To define the procedure for handling and disposal of animal carcasses resulting from roadside pickup and/or
accidents and to ensure compliance with the permit issued by the Massachusetts Division of Fish and
Wildlife.
This SOP does not supersede the SOP for the handling of Unknown Roadside Waste.
RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the District Maintenance Engineer (DME) or their designee to ensure that animal
carcasses are handled in compliance with this policy and other applicable state and federal regulations.
The Environmental Management System (EMS) Compliance Coordinator will report findings from their
facility inspection to the DME.
POLICY
MassDOT Highway Division is authorized to retrieve and transport animals killed by collision with motor
vehicles or otherwise found dead on or adjacent to a public way (In accordance with M.G.L. c. 131 Section
4(2) and Section 22A).
Animal carcasses retrieved by District Maintenance Personnel may be buried on state property within the
state highway layout/right-of-way and in the vicinity of carcass discovery. Maintenance personnel may not
bury numerous animals in the same vicinity. Animal carcasses cannot be buried in Wetland Resource Areas
(i.e. wetlands, buffer zones).
Animal carcasses may be placed in such a way to allow for natural decomposition as long as the location of
the decaying carcass will not draw scavenger animals into the roadway, produce a public nuisance or a
public health hazard.
Incineration of the carcass is allowed if a local licensed incinerator is available.
A record of roadside pickup of animal carcasses must be maintained by the designated district maintenance
personnel. If possible, identification tags of pets should be retained and the owner contacted for possible
retrieval.
DEER Carcass Considerations
The deer carcass may be kept by the driver that struck the animal (321 CMR 2.04). No state worker may
keep any part of any animal carcass found on MassDOT property.
Within 24-hours the disposition of the deer must be reported to Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) 1800-632-8075.