During 2015 a total of 34 rabid bats were found in Los Angeles County. Half of them were found in Santa Clarita (see zoomed-in map lower right).

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.
19. Lakewood. August. Rabid bat found dead on a driveway.
20. Santa Clarita (Valencia). August. Bat found alive, hanging on a garage door.
21. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Bat flew into pool, and then crawled out and hung on nearby wall.
22. Los Angeles (West Hills). August. Bat found alive on ground near entrance to a school. Adult removed bat and taken to wildlife rehabilitation facility.
23. Santa Clarita (Valencia). August. Bat found alive on a second story patio outside of a business.
24. Acton. August. Bat found dead just outside a home.
25. Palmdale. August. Bat found alive, stick between screen door and sliding door of a home.
26. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Bat found alive by hikers on a park trail.
27. Los Angeles (Tarzana). August. Bat found outside of a medical facility. Bat was taken to a veterinary clinic, then to an animal shelter.
28. Santa Clarita (Valencia). August. Bat alive, clinging to stucco above front door to a home.
29. Santa Monica. August. Found alive under table in backyard of a home.
30. Santa Clarita (Valencia). September. Bat found alive near front door of a home.
31. Santa Clarita (Valencia). September. Live bat sitting on floor of a front porch for more than 48 hours. A vaccinated dog sniffed at the bat and possibly had close contact, will be quarantined and observed for rabies for 30 days.
32. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). October. Live bat found on patio in yard. Was covered with flower pot until Animal Control officer arrived to pick it up for rabies testing.
33. Altadena. October. Live bat was on underside of table in home. Bit one person who was near bat. Unknown how long bat was in home. Vaccinated dog in home possibly exposed. Dog's rabies vaccination boostered right away, placed under 30 day home  quarantine.
34. Santa Clarita (Valencia). November. Bat found dead in yard.

BATS AND RABIES
Bats are the animals that are most commonly diagnosed with rabies in Los Angeles County. However, only about 1% of bats in nature are infected with rabies.

Most bats are not rabid, and they try to avoid contact with people and pets. Bats are good for the environment because they eat insects and pollinate plants. Bats are also protected by law. Click here to read more about bats.

However, bats seen flying in daylight, or found on the ground, are more likely to have rabies. Never touch a bat or other wild animal. If you pick up a bat with your bare hands, you may be bitten and exposed to rabies.

Bats that bite a person or pet should be tested for rabies. The bite mark from a bat can be very small and hard to see. Bats that are found indoors near a sleeping person, young child, adult that cannot speak, or pet should also be tested for rabies. In these cases, try to gently trap the bat without touching it (such as covering it with a bucket), and call your local animal control agency. To see a list of local animal control agencies, click here. You should also talk to your doctor and/or veterinarian in these situations.  

MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES - Click HERE for CDC podcasts, videos, eCards and more about RABIES!

Lecture about rabies in Los Angeles County 2011

Centers for Disease Control - Rabies pages

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health web pages

Local Rabies Overview
Rabies Control Manual
Human rabies
2013 rabid bat map
2004 - 2013 rabid bat map 

Last updated February 11, 2016