Dear Urban Decoder: I am saddened by the ever-present roadkill lining our streets and highways. Who is responsible for collecting these poor creatures, how are they disposed of, and at what time of day is the job done?
On city streets, it is the unenviable task of the folks from the animal services department, who patrol in their bright yellow or white vans, picking up all those unfortunate souls that don’t quite make it across the road. Highways like the DVP fall under the jurisdiction of the works and emergency services crew, who toil mostly at night (when traffic volumes are low). Cats and dogs are the most common casualties, followed by squirrels, raccoons, skunks and even the occasional deer or coyote. Remains are delivered to one of four animal services incinerators and, after a brief stint on ice, transformed back into the dust from whence they came. Last year, some 5,300 furry Torontonians fell victim to the human population’s love affair with hurtling steel.
In response, I found a dead raccoon on the street in front of my house at midnight. I called the non-emergency number 416-808-2222, and they let me know that Toronto Works picks up the animals in the morning so I would have to call back after 7 a.m., and then and they would let them know. I did that, and later found the raccoon that was no longer with us, was really no longer with us on the street too.
September 18, 2009 at 7:28 pm | by Shannan