Dead squirrel, didn't bite anyone, should I be worried about rabies?

Do what you will, but I’d tend to think this poor critter was met with an untimely death. Is there any indication at all that would lead you to believe that it might have had rabies?

It was twitching a lot, which apparently happens to rabid animals. But it was also in a lot of pain, which probably is the reason for it. I would prefer to just leave it where it lived, but I want to be sure it’s not going to be a danger to anyone.

Was it frothing at the mouth? I’d tend to conclude what you did about the twitching…pain. But, I’m no expert. Perhaps you might call the health department and let them decide.

It was not frothing at the mouth.

The flies will be more of a problem. They are laying eggs in the corpse as we speak. You will have maggots in a couple of days and then an uncountable number of new flies.
I know it’s gross but if you have the space burying one foot deep is best.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Rabies or not, dig a hole at least 3 feet deep and burry it ASAP.

I would simply pick it up and dispose of the corpse. If noone was bitten I doubt they will test it for rabies.

Definitely call the health department.

Rabies is a big concern as is West Nile. If the health department are not concerned then make a disposal plan. But I would not leave it where it fell. It is now a rotting carcass, infected or injured, but rotting none the less. Also the little being deserves to be tended to just because you noticed.

It’s in a public park, and according to someone I just asked, the grounds crew will probably take care of removing it. I guess if it’s still there when I get off from work, I will call someone.

From the horse’s mouth, so to speak:
“In the US, squirrels have not, so far, been diagnosed with rabies.”

http://rabies.emedtv.com/rabies/rabies-and-squirrels.html

“Squirrels are almost never found to have rabies. And squirrels have not been known to cause rabies in humans within the United States.”

Re-quoting for accuracy. (Did you link the wrong page? o-o)

LInk works. Here’s the lead; (^^That sentence was cobbled together by me and should not have had quotation marks around it.)

“Squirrels are almost never found to have rabies. And squirrels have not been known to cause rabies in humans within the United States. Bites from a squirrel are not normally considered a risk for rabies.”

Squirrels not causing rabies in humans ≠ squirrels never contracting rabies. Mostly I’m worried someone’s dog is going to try to nom on it or something.

What does “dog trying to nom on it” mean?

Like. Chew or eat or generally attempt to put its mouth on it. I have no experience with dogs, I have no idea whether they like putting their faces in day-old corpses.

Dogs certainly are interested in carrion.

burn the carcass and leave.

Call the animal control and ask them. If there are any known rabies cases in your area, they will want a report. If not, they can advise you.

Yes, @gailcalled

Squirrels pose little threat of rabies.

The smaller the animal the more likely it will die before being able to transmit the virus.

If a squirrel is bitten by a rabid fox, coyote, etc. well…most of the time it will not survive the attack to begin with.

The rabies virus only lives a very limited life, dependent on temp., after the death of an infected animal.

In other words the virus dies pretty quickly with its host.

I don’t think so if nobody was bitten. The dead squirrel should be disposed of so that no other animal would try to eat it.