[The Red Zone]

Since the critter was caught, its brain will be checked for rabies.

[TXnMA]

Advice to anyone who has to shoot an attacking animal: if at all possible, avoid shooting it in the head. The undamaged brain is needed to diagnose the presence or absence of rabies in the animal.

If rabies is not diagnosed, any bitten victim can avoid the need to undergo the painful series of rabies shots...

Haven't had to shoot an attacking coyote -- yet... But I did have to shoot a raccon that attacked me. (Fortunately, it only got my boot -- and it did have rabies...).