Reporting roadkill in Tri-Cities. Who cleans up dead pets and wildlife on local roads?

Even when you try your hardest to avoid it, sometimes roadkill in inevitable. Small animals try to rush in front of cars, large animals wander through city streets, you never know when an animal will find its way in front of a vehicle.

One of the high-traffic areas in Kennewick is the intersection of S. Edison St. and Clearwater Ave. Businesses line both streets, along with apartments and schools. A pedestrian crossing zone is near the intersection, often used by students walking to school or apartment renters heading to get groceries. But when it’s warm out, there’s another group of common crossers — a family of ducks.

Usually, oncoming traffic waits for the water fowl to safely cross, but sometimes the trek ends in tragedy. Seeing a dead duck on the street is not necessarily a rare experience, and Tri-Citians pass various kinds of roadkill fairly often.

In the event you see roadkill, or worse, kill an animal while driving, who are you supposed to call? What are you supposed to do? Here’s everything you should know about reporting roadkill in the Tri-Cities.

Statewide roadkill regulations in WA

In Washington state, the general public can salvage deer and elk carcasses if they were killed by a vehicle, with the proper permit. Deer cannot be salvaged in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties due to species preservation, but elk can still be salvaged. The permit does not allow other animals to be salvages, they must be called in.

In general, it is normally required for property owners to take care of any animals that die on their property. If it’s a big game animal, like a moose, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will assist. You can report dead animals to WDFW using this online form.

It is also generally required for drivers to report any collisions with animals to local police. If you hit an animal in a non-emergency situation, call non-emergency dispatch at 509-628-0333. If it’s an emergency, like if the road is blocked or a passenger is injured, call 911.

How to report roadkill in Tri-Cities

With three cities and two counties, the various organizations operating in the Tri-Cities can cause confusion for residents. When it comes to administrative concerns, there are often separate responses and officials between the city and county boundaries.

In the cities of Kennewick, Richland and Pasco, domestic roadkill can be reported to the Tri-City Animal Shelter at 509-545-3740. TCAS only picks up dead animals in the roads if it is obstructing the roadway.

However, if you are on a state highway and observe roadkill that is potentially dangerous or distracting, it is under the Washington State Department of Transportation’s jurisdiction. There are often troopers patrolling, so roadkill is often caught by WSDOT before any calls come in. Crews move the carcass to a safe, designated disposal area.

According to WSDOT spokesperson Summer Derrey who spoke with McClatchy, deer and elk removal in the region has gone down nearly 50% since Washington allowed salvaging. Even so, in the past year WSDOT has received almost 450 reports of roadkill on Tri-Cities-area highways. Crews have also responded for domestic animals, beavers, badgers, skunks, coyotes, cows and even a cougar on SR240.

If responded to in time and cared for properly, a carcass can be prepared into usable meat products.

To report highway roadkill that is not an emergency, contact non-emergency dispatch at 509-628-0333. To report roadkill that is an emergency, like if it’s blocking the roadway and surely will cause a collision, call 911. Provide your location and a brief description of what you saw, so dispatch can inform the proper organization. WSDOT is informed of the reports by dispatchers after your location is confirmed.

▪ Kennewick

To report wildlife roadkill in the city of Kennewick, contact the Street Department at 509-585-4419. The department will also respond to domestic roadkill on Mondays, when the Animal Shelter is closed.

▪ Richland

In Richland, contact the Street Department at 509-942-7460 for wildlife roadkill.

▪ Pasco

Wildlife roadkill in Pasco can be reported to the Public Works Department at 509-543-5738.

▪ Benton County

Roadkill in Benton County outside the cities of Richland and Kennewick is handled by the Benton County Roads Department at 509-736-3084.

▪ Franklin County

Outside of the city of Pasco, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responds to roadkill in the county. Make a report at 509-545-3501.