I am a physician .  Reading from the recommendation of The Red Book
(American Academy of Pediatrics) "a suspect dog or cat that has bitten a
human should be captured, confined and observed by a vet.  for 10 days.  Any
illness should be reported immediately to the local health Dpt.  IF THE
ANIMAL DEVELOPS signs of rabies, it should be killed and its head removed
and shipped under refrigeration to a qualified laboratory.  " The exposure
was minimal.  Why killing the animal ?
 
Manuel Caceres MD,
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, West Virginia University
[Posted in FML issue 1944]