another thing you should absolutely do is contact the owner, if you know them, or can and get proff from them that the dogs rabies vaccination is up to date. If the owner has proof then you can feel pretty safe, if the owner can't prove recent rabies vacinnation the dog can be held in quarantine for a specified time to see if the rabies develops. of course by the time they figure this out from the dog, you are probably going to be past the prophylactic (preventitive) treatment.

If the dog is safe, no problem, other than the trauma to the dog in being quarantined, If it turns out otherwise, well, they at least have a place to start and can autopsy the dead dogs brain to determine strain etc.

just saying.....

As far as I am concerned, all states should have a law requiring rabies for all domestic pets, not only for the protection of the animals, but owners and others as well.

just sayin.

heal fast