True or False: If you encounter an animal acting strangely and suspect it may have rabies, you should shoot for its brain.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (B)

When you suspect rabies in an animal, the priority is safety and getting the right professionals involved. Do not attempt to shoot or harm the animal to “check” for rabies. Shooting for its brain is dangerous, impractical, and not how rabies is diagnosed. Rabies testing is done by trained veterinarians or public health labs using appropriate samples after the animal is safely captured or has died, not by untrained handling in the field.

If you encounter a suspicious animal, keep your distance, avoid contact, and contact animal control or public health authorities for guidance. If you’ve been bitten or exposed, wash the wound and seek medical attention promptly for possible post-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so proper safety and professional handling are essential.