What must be done with a free-roaming high-risk animal that has bitten a person?

In the case of a free-roaming high-risk animal that has bitten a person, testing the animal for rabies is crucial because rabies poses a significant health risk to humans. When an animal bites a person, it's essential to ascertain its rabies status to determine the appropriate medical response and public health measures needed to prevent the potential spread of this deadly disease.

Testing for rabies is a standardized procedure in these situations to ensure that if the animal is rabid, timely interventions such as post-exposure prophylaxis can be provided to the affected individual. This can significantly mitigate the health risks associated with the bite and is a key component of animal control and public health protocols.

The other options do not address the immediate health concern that arises from a bite incident involving a high-risk animal. Moving the animal to a shelter may be necessary, but it does not directly address the risk of rabies. Returning the animal to the wild without testing would endanger not only the person bitten but also other animals and humans. Quarantining the animal indefinitely does not adequately resolve the issue of rabies testing and can unnecessarily prolong risk exposure. Therefore, testing the animal for rabies is the most appropriate and immediate action to ensure public safety.