What to do with dead raccoon?!

[AltonaAcres]

Two nights ago I spotted a raccoon drinking from our large pond. This morning, I found the same one (I think), dead in the middle of our driveway. It looks very large, very healthy and not damaged in any way. I have no idea how it died, no one has driven up or down our driveway since last afternoon. It is SO gorgeous, I don't just want to throw it away, so does anyone have an idea of what I could do with it? Or is it risky, as the raccoon could be sick? Let me know soon, we need to move it ASAP.

 

[DobieLover]

Two nights ago I spotted a raccoon drinking from our large pond. This morning, I found the same one (I think), dead in the middle of our driveway. It looks very large, very healthy and not damaged in any way. I have no idea how it died, no one has driven up or down our driveway since last afternoon. It is SO gorgeous, I don't just want to throw it away, so does anyone have an idea of what I could do with it? Or is it risky, as the raccoon could be sick? Let me know soon, we need to move it ASAP.

Because raccoons are rabies vectors, I would dig a hole as deep as you can and, wearing gloves, transport the body to the hole with a shovel and bury it.
It may have died from distemper or rabies or who knows what. It's not worth the risk.
I had a rental property and when stopping by saw that there was a dead raccoon in the yard. I asked the tenants about it and they said their dog found it dead and brought it to the yard. I told them they should call the DEC and have it removed. It was tested and came back positive for rabies. Their dog's vaccination was expired by 1 month and the DEC wanted to seize the dog and euthanize him. It was a mess! They ultimately did a home 1 month quarantine and the dog was fine.

 

[ValerieJ]

I would bury it.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Ok good to know. We did see a rabid raccoon several years ago, but it looked so unhealthy I assumed this one was fine. Our dog has the vaccine but I don't want to risk it.

 

[woodmort]

I would bury it.

Deep!