Full Notification

The Yolo County Sheriff's Office, Animal Services Section wants to warn the public about handling downed bats.

On Wednesday August 13, 2014 at approximately 12:30 p.m. a bat was found inside the tire swing at Davis Community Park, in the children’s playground behind the Davis Art Center. The bat then fell out of the tire swing onto the ground. Children were present and alerted an adult that there was a bat crawling on the ground. The bat was impounded by an Animal Services Officer and sent in for testing to the Solano, Napa & Yolo Public Health Laboratory to test for the Rabies virus. Results determined the bat was positive for the virus.

As a reminder, last year there were numerous bats located under the pedestrian overcrossing at Covell and F Street at the Davis Community Park that tested positive for rabies. The bats have now migrated back to this roost and Yolo County Sheriff’s Animal Services has confirmed the bat colony is indeed back in the area. Please do not disturb the bat colony.

If you find a bat on the ground or in your residence do not attempt to handle the animal. Please contact Yolo County Sheriff’s Animal Services or your local law enforcement agency to have the animal removed.

Also, remember to vaccinate your pets for rabies. Many bats reside in populated areas because of the flying insects that are attracted to night burning lights in parking lots and on residences as they are the bat’s food resource.

Contacts: Vicky Fletcher, Business Services Manager (530) 237-6212