Editor,

It happens every year about this time. Deer are on the move and collisions with vehicles are inevitable. But whose responsibility is it to remove those unfortunate bodies off the highway? It is disturbing enough to see a newly hit deer on the side of the road, but when one must pass by it daily in worsening degrees of decomposition it becomes distasteful and a public nuisance. My observation has been that most animal carcasses are left to resolve and disappear on their own. Scavengers are drawn to the highways, further compounding the risk of another accident. This is not acceptable to me. I have had to call VDOT in years past to request a removal, but I don’t think we should have to request something so obvious. So, back to the question, who has the responsibility of cleaning up our highways? VDOT? County employees? Game wardens? Sheriff’s Department? Animal control? This distasteful task needs to be within somebody’s job description — if it is not already. Please clean up our highways.

Beverly Speas

Cumberland