Disposal of dead animals
The correct way to dispose of dead animals depends on whether the dead animal is classified as 'clinical waste' or not.
Animal waste is defined as clinical waste if any discarded material, including carcasses, body parts, blood or bedding from animals, is contaminated with an agent infectious to humans.
Dead animals at the side of the road or domestic pets that die due to old age or injury are not considered clinical waste.
Gold Coast residents can dispose of small domestic animals, such cats and dogs, for a special burial charge at Stapylton Waste and Recycling Centre. A fee may also apply for the disposal of dead livestock and large wild animals.
Please be advised that this is a waste disposal service only. The animal is buried with other wastes using heavy machinery. For pet funeral and related burial services, please contact a veterinary practice or pet cemetery.
Pet burials on private property
You can bury deceased pets (dogs, cats or other small animals only) in your yard if you are the property owner. Please make sure the hole is at least 1 metre deep and you compact the soil so that other animals can't dig it up.
Report a deceased animal on public property
To report a dead animal in one of our parks, along a footpath or a local road:
After business hours, this number will offer an option to enter '1' to be diverted to our After Hours Emergency Service number.
Report a deceased animal on a major road
To report dead animals on or beside major roads (motorways and highways), contact Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 19 40.
Treatment of deceased animals considered clinical waste
Storage and handling
Animals considered clinical waste include those euthanised by a vet or any that have been accidentally poisoned. All clinical waste is to be:
- bagged and stored in rigid-walled, leak-proof containers
- placed in containers that are coloured yellow, marked with the biohazard symbol and the wording ‘Clinical waste’
- kept in an area not accessible to unauthorised people and animals
- kept so as not to cause an environmental nuisance (for example, refrigerating odorous materials).
Disposal and treatment of clinical waste
Disposal of clinical waste is to be in accordance with Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000.
Untreated infectious animal waste must be dealt with by:
- incineration
- autoclaving
- chemical disinfection using hypochlorite or peroxide lime.
No untreated infectious animal waste is to be disposed of at a landfill.
There is a special burial charge for disposal of treated clinical waste at landfill.
Transportation
All clinical waste is to be transported and disposed of by an approved waste transporter. These operators will be licensed to undertake an Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA 83 or ERA 57).
For more information on the correct disposal of dead animals, please contact Waste Management on 07 5667 5976.