What to Do:

Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.  Go to a hospital emergency room or see a doctor right away- even for a minor wound. 

If a person has been bitten by a domestic animal, it's very important to find the owner and determine if the animal has been vaccinated.  Any domestic animal which can be captured after biting a person should be confined and observed for 10 days.  If the animal should die or develop signs of rabies during this period, it should be sent to a rabies laboratory for testing. 

Do not attempt to capture a wild animal alive.  A wild animal which has bitten a person should be destroyed at once and the body sent to a laboratory for examination.  Call your local animal control warden, health department or police for assistance.  If an animal must be destroyed, try not to damage the head.  The disease can only be identified by examination of the animal's brain.  Using a shovel or wearing heavy gloves, put the animal in a plastic bag or other protective covering, and take it to a veterinarian or your local health department.  It will then be sent to a rabies laboratory for testing. If the animal cannot be tested or if a bat is involved, the person who was bitten must have rabies treatment immediately.  Bats are considered rabid until testing proves otherwise.