The management of dogs showing possible signs of rabies should aim to protect public safety, as well as aiming to uphold the welfare of the animal. Handling such situations can be broken into three components:
- Firstly, skilled professionals focus on catching the dog safely, employing specialized techniques to minimize harm to both the animal and the handlers.
- Once caught, the second stage involves isolating the dog, ensuring that it does not come into contact with other animals or humans to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Lastly, in cases where all other measures fail, end of life care, or the difficult decision of euthanasia may be taken to prevent further risk to uphold welfare or protect public safety.
This management strategy seeks to strike a delicate balance between safeguarding human safety and exercising compassion for the dog. Rabies robs animals of peace and commits them to a death full of rage and confusion. Whilst upholding safety, rabies surveillance teams should do all they can to show compassion to these animals and take efforts to make them comfortable in their final days and hours.