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Los Angeles County Health Officials Report Rabid Bats In Santa Clarita Valley

Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health officials are reporting more rabid bats found in the Santa Clarita Valley this summer.


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Bats are the most common animals to carry rabies in Los Angeles County but about one percent of bats are infected with rabies, according to the Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health website2015LA CountyRabiesMap-18bats

Most bats are not rabid and avoid contact with people and their pets, according to the website. Bats are good for the environment because they eat insects and they pollinate plants. They are also protected by law. 

Bats seen flying in daylight or on the ground are more likely to have rabies, according to the website. Officials warn to never touch a bat or other wild animal to avoid contracting rabies.

If bitten, the bite mark from a bat can be very small and hard to see.

Anyone who comes in contact with a bat should be tested for rabies.

Bats found indoors near a sleeping person, young child, adult that cannot speak or pet should also be tested for rabies, according to the website. Try to gently trap the bat without touching it (such as covering it with a bucket), and call your local animal control agency.

The nearest animal control agency in the Santa Clarita Valley is the Castaic Animal Shelter. They can be reached at (818) 367-8065.

To see a list of local animal control agencies, click here.

Reported rabid bats in 2015, according to officials with the Los Angeles County Veterinary Public Health:

  1. Sierra Madre. January. Bat found alive under a tree and behind a fence in secluded area of a business.
  2. Santa Clarita (Saugus). March. Dog carrying live bat it around in its mouth in yard. The dog’s rabies vaccination was up-to-date. The dog received a booster vaccination, and will be monitored for rabies for 30 days.
  3. Bell Gardens. March. Bat found alive hanging from eaves of a home.
  4. Los Angeles (Brentwood area). March. Bat found alive on ground in front yard. Vaccinated dogs in yard with bat will be observed for rabies for 30 days.
  5. Calabasas. March. Bat found in isolated area on second floor of an office complex.
  6. Palmdale. April. Bat found in outdoor patio area at a school. Children were indoors at the time, away from bat.
  7. Santa Clarita (Newhall). April. Bat found in bushes in front yard of a home.
  8. Altadena. April. Dog picked up rabid bat in mouth, carried it into house.
  9. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country).May. Bat found dead on walkway between two apartment complexes. Posters placed to advise residents.
  10. Santa Clarita (Saugus). June. Bat found dead in yard of a home.
  11. Calabasas June. Bat found alive in the yard of a home.
  12. Santa Clarita (Valencia). July. Bat found alive in backyard.
  13. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found clinging to side of a building at a business.
  14. Santa Clarita (Saugus). July. Rabid bat found alive on ground in alley near a business.
  15. Santa Clarita (Stevenson Ranch). July. Bat found dead, on a front porch.
  16. Glendale. July. Bat found outdoors at a busy intersection.
  17. Whittier. July. Pet flew into a business, hit a window and fell to floor. Staff member covered it with a box and called animal control.
  18. Santa Clarita (Saugus). August. Two dogs stepped out back door of a home, person with them heard hissing sound. Found bat on ground near door. Both dogs potentially had direct contact, and will be quarantined at home and observed for rabies.
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Los Angeles County Health Officials Report Rabid Bats In Santa Clarita Valley

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