Brownwood News – The rabid bat retrieved on May 4th, was initially located in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Brownwood. This animal was lying in the parking lot for an extended period of time; potentially hours. If anyone happened to touch or handle the bat while at this location, please contact the Brown County Health Department during normal hours at 325-646-0554.
Under normal conditions, anyone having contact with a potentially rabid animal is self-monitored for a period of 10 days.
Again, the public is reminded to not handle unfamiliar animals or any wild animal. Animals behaving strange or acting out of character should be avoided and contact should be made with the Brown County Health Department or Animal Control.
ORIGINAL RELEASE
On Saturday, May 4, 2019 at approximately 3:00pm, Animal Control Officer Sarah Lopez responded to a south Brownwood residence for a report of an injured bat. The bat was retrieved from a local business parking lot and placed in a box to be taken home for care. Animal control authorities retrieved the bat which later tested positive for rabies.
The Brownwood Police Department would like to remind everyone to take necessary precautions when encounter otherwise wild or exotic animals. Avoid animals you are unfamiliar with and/or ones that are displaying suspicious behavior or appear sickly. Do not attempt to pet or pick up animals in this instance. Animals that are considered wild, such as bats, raccoons, skunks or opossums should never be handled. Be especially weary of these types of wild animals if you see them roaming about during daylight hours. These precautions are necessary to avoid potential life-threatening exposure or injury.
When in doubt, stay away from the animal and contact the Animal Control Office of the Brownwood Police Department.
