Edit: doctor just checked me out and isn't worried at all
My dogs found a baby raccoon last night, they didn't hurt her just did some aggressive sniffing. I picked her up and after a minute she chilled out and snuggled into me. Eventually she started crawling around and managed to give me a very minor scratch.
The problem is if a raccoon causes even a minor scratch it has to be put down and tested for rabies. I can't let that happen. But if I tell anyone, particularly my wife, they'll insist on it. Rabies is terrifying but there have only been 5 cases in my entire county in the past two years. The chances of getting rabies from a scratch are fairly low too. Still I'm a little worried for myself but not enough to allow an animal to be killed.
She's sleeping in a box outside now, I don't know if I should go hide her then tell someone or what. The preventive treatment they give if the animal can't be tested is rather painful and very expensive. I just can't let something die on the very small chance it could have infected me.
I'm really rather upset and don't know what to do.
If you are not a liberal, you should be fine politically. Also, go to a doctor. If you were scratched and not bitten, you are probably safe from rabies, but still go check.