[sanderson]

Animals, even well-trained ones, can be unpredictable. All animals - pets or wildlife - that are stressed, frightened or injured will often bite and scratch, and should be treated with extreme caution.

In addition to being mindful of diseases such as about rabies, pet owners should also be aware of the potential danger of infection from animal bites and scratches. Puncture wounds from bites are often worse than they look at first glance; damage occurs beneath the skin surface. It is best to visit your doctor, the sooner the better.