When you head out to go to work or run an errand you may come across a dead animal on the side of the road. But when you ride by and it's gone the next day you might ask yourself who cleaned up the area.
Stanley contacted us wondering how long it takes to pick up dead animals and who's responsible for the task.
Perry Rouse says he and his partner Arthur form the crew that picks up dead animals in the City of Macon during the week.
"A lot of dogs, cats, deer, possums," said Rouse describing the remains he comes across daily.
He's filled the bed of a truck with roadkill for the last five years and says it's not easy.
"If you ain't used to it your stomach ain't gonna be able to take it," he said.
Larry Dunning, Macon's Assistant Public Works Director, says the city picks up dead animals from the streets inside the city limits. He says they also pick up dead pets from shelters and clinic.
"If animals are on the roadway or right-of-ways we'll pick them up. If we have a real bad situation we'll go on private property but normally we don't do that," he said.
Dunning says Macon has a truck dedicated to responding as soon as possible.
If you live in the city, you can call the public works department at 478-751-9123, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
If you live in the county you can call Bibb's engineering department at 478-474-9787.
They're open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The county says they try to clean up that day if possible.
If you have a problem out of the county's time frame that creates a public safety hazard, you can call the Bibb County Sheriff's office at 478-747-9441 for someone can contact Bibb emergency engineering crew.
On state routes and interstates the responsibility falls on Georgia's Department of Transportation. If you see a dead animal for them to pick up you can contact the local office at 478-757 2601.
Dunning says last week the city of Macon collected more than 11,000 pounds of dead animals.
Rouse says he knows it's a job many people wouldn't want, but he's glad to have work.
"It's an old saying that it's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it," said Rouse.