City urges residents to report deer deaths as EHD affects local deer

The mayor said residents who find deer that have died suddenly should report the animals to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources so officials can track suspected cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). "Report them," the mayor said, noting ODNR has a reporting system for the outbreak in Southeast Ohio.

Why it matters: local officials said EHD is being seen across Athens County and nearby counties and that tracking helps state wildlife managers monitor spread and impacts to the herd.

City guidance and options: the mayor told listeners the city will remove a deer carcass only if it is in the public right of way and that residents should call the city Department of Engineering and Public Works during normal business hours for roadway removals. For carcasses on private property, the mayor said the city cannot enter private property to remove animals; residents may hire private disposal services or move the carcass to the public right of way for city pickup. He also said applying agricultural lime directly to a carcass can help dry it and reduce odors if burial is not possible. "So number 1, just report it to ODNR," the mayor said.

What the city did not say: the mayor gave no specifics in the broadcast about any city ordinance that requires private removals, the costs of private removal services, or an ODNR contact phone number; those details were not specified in the announcement.

Next steps: residents with a dead deer on their property should report it to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and, if the carcass is in the roadway, contact the city Department of Engineering and Public Works for removal during normal business hours.