Cooking meat destroys the rabies virus. Freezing it does not. Cook any suspected meat thoroughly. Handle the carcass with extreme care if you believe it may be infected. Avoid exposing cutsless than 24 hours old and mucous membranes to any raw parts of the animal.

If you do not observe the animal prior to dispatching it, then assume it may be infected. It can still be consumed, but must be handled with care and cooked well done.

The virus lives not only in the animal's saliva, but in the nervous tissue surrounding the muscles and organs, the spinal cord and brain tissues. Sterilize utensils that have come in contact with the animal prior to re-use.