Dead Horse Removal in Southern Wisconsin: What Farm Owners Need to Know

Serving Southern Wisconsin Horse Owners

Brier Hill Livestock Removal is based in Harvard, Illinois — just minutes from the Wisconsin border — making us one of the fastest-responding horse removal services for farms throughout Southern Wisconsin. We serve Rock County, Walworth County, Kenosha County, Racine County, Green County, Lafayette County, Iowa County, Grant County, Jefferson County, and beyond.

When your horse dies, you don't need to search for an in-state hauler. We cross the border regularly and know the Wisconsin requirements well. Call us any time at (815) 543-1891.

Wisconsin's Dead Animal Disposal Law: The 24-Hour Rule

Wisconsin law (ATCP 10) governs the disposal of dead animals on farms and roadways. Key requirements Wisconsin horse owners need to know:

• Roadside carcasses must be removed within 24 hours of discovery
• On-farm carcasses must be disposed of promptly — within 24 to 48 hours depending on the disposal method and season
• Dead animals must be transported by a Wisconsin-registered or compliant licensed hauler
• Burial, composting, rendering, and incineration are all regulated under state law

Leaving a dead horse on your property longer than permitted can result in complaints from neighbors, visits from local health officials, and potential fines. The law exists for good reason — decomposing large animals attract scavengers, contaminate groundwater, and pose disease risks to other livestock.

Brier Hill Livestock Removal responds rapidly — often within 1–3 hours depending on your location — and handles all transport and disposal in compliance with Wisconsin DATCP requirements.

What Happens to Your Horse After Pickup

When we pick up your horse in Wisconsin, we transport them to a licensed disposal or processing facility. Options include:

• Rendering: For horses that were not euthanized with pentobarbital, rendering is an environmentally sound disposal method that repurposes the animal's remains into useful products
• Cremation transport: If you wish to have your horse cremated — whether communal or private — we will transport them to a cremation facility of your choice or recommend trusted options in the region
• Licensed disposal: Other DATCP-approved disposal methods depending on your situation

When you call, let us know your preference and whether euthanasia drugs were involved, as this determines which disposal pathways are available.

Counties We Serve in Wisconsin

We regularly serve horse owners and farms throughout the following Wisconsin counties:

• Rock County — Janesville, Beloit, Edgerton, Milton, Evansville, Orfordville, Footville, Brodhead
• Walworth County — Elkhorn, Whitewater, Lake Geneva, Delavan, Darien, Genoa City, Sharon, Williams Bay
• Kenosha County — Kenosha, Bristol, Salem, Twin Lakes, Paddock Lake, Pleasant Prairie
• Racine County — Racine, Burlington, Union Grove, Waterford, Rochester, Wind Point
• Green County — Monroe, Brodhead, Albany, Monticello, Browntown, Belleville
• Lafayette County — Darlington, Shullsburg, Argyle, Blanchardville, Belmont
• Iowa County — Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Barneveld, Linden, Arena
• Grant County — Platteville, Lancaster, Fennimore, Prairie du Chien, Boscobel
• Jefferson County — Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Whitewater, Lake Mills
• Dane County — Madison area farms, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Mount Horeb

Not sure if we cover your area? Call us and we'll let you know. We'd rather you call and find out than try to handle this alone.

What to Do When Your Horse Dies in Wisconsin

1. Check for signs of illness — if the death was sudden or unusual, contact your veterinarian first. Some diseases are reportable to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
2. Call Brier Hill at (815) 543-1891 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year including holidays
3. Keep access clear — open gates and move any obstacles so our truck and equipment can reach the horse
4. Keep other animals away — move your herd to another pasture while you wait
5. Note any special circumstances — euthanasia drugs used, suspected illness, or specific disposal preferences

We Understand the Wisconsin Farm Community

Southern Wisconsin has a strong agricultural heritage — dairy farms, horse properties, beef cattle operations, and mixed farms dot every county. We've served this community for decades. When you call us, you're not calling a corporate call center. You're calling a team that knows what Wisconsin farms look like, understands the terrain in every season, and treats your animals and your property with respect.

Call Brier Hill Livestock Removal at (815) 543-1891 any time you need us. We'll be there.