Finding a Dead Animal in the Pool

Many different types of domestic and wild animals — including skunks, birds, mice, gophers, rats, snakes, frogs, and bats — are commonly found dead in pools.

Most dead animals in pools do not pose a health risk to swimmers. Many germs carried by animals infect only those animals, though a few of the germs they carry can infect people.

Most germs carried by animals are killed by chlorine within minutes in a well-maintained pool. However, to help ensure healthy swimming in a pool where a dead animal has been found, it is important to follow the simple steps below to remove the animal and disinfect the water.

Follow these steps to remove the animal and disinfect the water:

• Close the pool to swimmers.
• Put on disposable gloves.
• Use a net or bucket to remove the dead animal from the pool.
• Double bag the animal in plastic garbage bags.
• Clean off any debris or dirt from the item used to remove the dead animal.
• Remove gloves and place them in the garbage bags.
• Close the garbage bags and place them in a sealed trash can to help keep wild animals away from the dead animal.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
• Raise the free chlorine concentration to, or maintain it at, 2 parts per million (ppm); maintain the pH levels at 7.5 or less; keep the temperature at 77°F (25°C) or higher. The free chlorine and pH should remain at these levels for 30 minutes.
• Confirm that the filtration system is operating properly during this time.
• Disinfect the item used to remove the dead animal by immersing it in the pool during the 30 minute disinfection time.