Deer Removal Within Upper Merion

Animal Control Officer Bill Goetz was recently informed that we need to make a change in procedures for the removal of dead deer from the highway. We normally remove at least three dead deer from the highway during the months of July, August and September, and average of one every two weeks the rest of the year. In the past the removal of dead deer was handled by ACO Goetz and he was able to dispose of them at a facility in the Valley Forge Park. Due to some recent changes, he is no longer able to do this so he contacted the Pa. State Game Commission for assistance with the matter.

He was advised by the Pa. State Game Commission that per Department of Health regulation the deer cannot be removed from the highway unless they are properly disposed of at an approved facility. In addition, the deer cannot even be removed and stored on public or private property for a short time prior to disposal. The Pa. State Game Commission advised him that they are the designated agency that should be used for this purpose and that they have been providing this service, free of charge, for some time to Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. They explained that they have contracted with a private removal agency to properly dispose of the dead deer at the Tullytown Landfill in Bucks County.

With this change in procedures, the Upper Merion Township Police Department will now contact the Pa. State Game Commission for removal of dead deer on the highway. The police department or ACO Goetz are allowed to move a dead deer to the side of the roadway if it is a traffic hazard. The Pa. State Game Commission will make every effort to remove the dear as soon as possible, but there may be delays, depending on their call volume. Dead deer on private property will also be picked up by the Pa. State Game Commission, but the resident will need to contact the Game Commission directly.

Below are the contact numbers for the Pa. State Game Commission:

(610)926-1966
(610)926-3136
(610)926-3137