Bat House Forum

[LarryH]

Our bats got some bad publicity this week, and now I have neighbors asking me if it is safe for me to have bat houses in the neighborhood.  So, I've spent a lot of time educating people on the non-hype facts about bats, as opposed to the TV's portrayal of them as dangerous.

What happened, was that someone's dog found a dead or injured bat and took it to the owner, who immediately called the county health officials.  The health officials tested the bat, and determined it had rabies, and then they went on TV warning people to stay away from wild animals and report any that are acting strangely to the health district.  Here's a quote from a local veterinarian that was interviewed by the TV station:

Carlson explained rabies rest in the saliva of the bat, "So when the bat would bite a person or another animal, that saliva would actually be injected into the tissue," then following nerve endings to the brain, causing severe damage.

"And that can actually cause death in people because there is no known cure," said Carlson.

Suddenly, neighbors wonder if their kids or pets could be bitten by the bats.  "Uh, not likely..."

Here's a link to the TV story, for anyone interested: http://www.wdtn.com/dsp_story.cfm?storyid=48014

It is fortunate the BCI presents us with lots of information to use in educating the public about the benefits of bats.


 

[Joe Spencer]

Sad indeed Larry.  If people keep their pets up to date with their shots it isn't an issue but they sure will try to make it one.  Two years ago we had numerous racoons on our deck and yard each night just prior to rabies peaking.  Many of the coons died out and now we have just a few and they're likely healthy and show no signs of aggressiveness for when they see us they scamper away with a normal I'm afraid of you!  Two years ago they would approach our house and deck with no regard for their safety which in all liklihood meant some were rabid.  Dayton area hmm more than likely a big brown bat since rabies is far more uncommon in other species.   Thanks Larry, hope all is well..