200.11 handling and disposition of dead animals

1. Number: 200.11
SUBJECT: HANDLING AND DISPOSITION OF DEAD ANIMALS Page: 1
Date: 8/25/05
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 1/14/14
I. PURPOSE
To provide OC Animal Care employees with a safe and sanitary method of impounding,
handling and disposing of dead animals.
II. POLICY
To help prevent the possible spread of disease and infection, the handling of dead animals by
Field and Kennel Services employees is to be done in a sanitary and professional manner.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all OC Animal Care Field and Kennel Services personnel.
IV. FORMS
Not applicable.
V. REFERENCES
Not applicable.
VI. DEFINITIONS
Hand hygiene
• Performing handwashing, antiseptic handwash, alcohol-based handrub
Handwashing
• Washing hands with plain soap and water
Antiseptic handwash
• Washing hands with water and soap or other detergents containing an antiseptic agent
Alcohol-based handrub
• Rubbing hands with an alcohol-containing preparation

2. Number: 200.11
SUBJECT: HANDLING AND DISPOSITION OF DEAD ANIMALS Page: 2
Date: 8/25/05
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 1/14/14
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Field Services
1. Equipment and Storage
All equipment used in the handling, carrying and storage of dead animals must
be kept clean, disinfected and in proper working condition.
a. Gloves: Leather gloves and disposable rubber gloves are supplied by the
County and should be utilized when handling dead animals. In
situations where an employee may come into physical contact with blood
or bodily fluids, rubber gloves must always be used during the handling
of dead animals. Gloves with holes and those soaked with any
unsanitary fluids, i.e. blood, bodily fluids, oil, caked dirt, etc, must be
replaced as needed.
b. Shovels: Shovels are supplied by the County and are to be carried
and secured in the rear compartment of the animal carrying unit.
Shovels may be used to remove dead animals from streets and may also
be used to decapitate rattlesnakes.
c. Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are supplied by the County and are to be
stocked in the animal carrying units. Plastic bags are used to carry dead
animals at the discretion of Animal Control Officers (ACO).
2. Dead Animal Handling
a. Contact with dead animal tissue should be avoided by wearing gloves,
using tools and/or using a plastic bag.
b. Care should be taken to handle dead animals in a manner which will
avoid offending observers.
c. Whenever possible, do not drag or push dead animals on the ground.
d. When evidence exists that a dead animal may have a zoonotic disease,
the animal will be placed into a plastic bag clearly marked possible
zoonotic case and veterinary staff notified. These dead animals shall be
transported in a plastic bag in the bottom rear compartment of the animal
carrying unit.
e. Anytime gloves are used to protect from something, they should be
removed as soon as the task is completed and hand hygiene should be

3. Number: 200.11
SUBJECT: HANDLING AND DISPOSITION OF DEAD ANIMALS Page: 3
Date: 8/25/05
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 1/14/14
performed; either by washing or using handrubs. Handwashing should
include washing hands with plain soap or antiseptic soap and water and
then dried if possible. If that is not possible, wipes should be used to
wipe away debris and then the hands should be decontaminated with
alcohol-based liquid or gel handrubs.
3. Owner Released Dead Animals
a. Sensitivity should be used when dealing with a citizen releasing a
deceased pet to OC Animal Care. ACOs will inquire of the owners as to
the possible cause of death.
b. Proper precautions will then be taken if evidence exists that the
possibility of a zoonotic disease is present (refer to section A. 2 above).
c. Deceased pets should be carried in a dignified and respectful manner
and be placed in an empty cage in the unit to avoid allowing the owner to
observe other dead animals in the vehicle.
4. Disposition
a. Field Burials: Dead animals, in which zoonotic disease is not suspected,
may be buried on public property at the discretion and approval of the
Watch Commander. Earthen cavities, at least one (1) foot deep are to be
used to prevent seepage or exhumation by feral animals or wildlife.
b. At Shelter: Deceased animals are to be removed from animal carrying
units by OC Animal Care staff using the animal handling guidelines
listed above. All deceased animals are to be scanned for microchips by
staff. The ACO who is driving the truck is to ensure that it is disinfected
and properly cleaned. Skunks must be double bagged before they are
brought to the shelter.
B. Kennel Services
1. Equipment and Storage: All equipment used in the handling, carrying and
storage of deceased animals must be kept clean, disinfected and in proper
working condition.
a. Gloves: Leather gloves and disposable rubber gloves are supplied by the
County and should be utilized when handling dead animals. In situations

4. Number: 200.11
SUBJECT: HANDLING AND DISPOSITION OF DEAD ANIMALS Page: 4
Date: 8/25/05
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 1/14/14
where an employee may come into physical contact with blood or bodily
fluids, rubber gloves must always be used during the handling of the
dead animals. Gloves with holes and those soaked with any unsanitary
fluids, i.e. blood, bodily fluids, oil, caked dirt, etc, must be replaced as
needed.
2. Handling of Dead Animals
a. Station I: Care should be taken to handle dead animals in a manner that
would avoid offending the public. Dead animals may be carried to the
Shelter morgue or depending on size, may be covered and transported on
a cart. With an extremely large dead animal, the citizen shall be directed
to drive to the Station III unloading area. Station III unloading area is
closed to the public between the hours of 12:00pm and 1:00pm, as well
as during unloading of the Field Services trucks where Kennel staff will
be standing by to assist in unloading.
b. Dead animals must be removed from any carrier prior to being placed
into a barrel container inside the morgue. Carriers that are not return to
the citizen shall be disposed in a trash receptacle at Station III. All dead
domestic stray animals are to be scanned for implanted microchips prior
to being taken to Station III.