PLANO, Texas — The City of Plano announced Friday that a bat has tested positive for rabies, which is a viral disease in warm-blooded animals that can be contracted through bites from infected animals.
According to a news release from the city, the bat was picked up on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in the 1700 block of Throwbridge Lane.
The city said there was no known contact with people or pets. However, they decided to send it off for testing due to health concerns.
The city of Plano is using this discovery as a reminder to all pet owners to stay up to date with vaccinations as it could mean all the difference in your pet's health.
"This positive test highlights the importance of keeping all vaccinations current -- especially rabies -- since there is no way to predict when a pet may come into contact with a wild animal," Animal Services Director Jamie Cantrell said. "Both State of Texas and Plano city ordinances require that animals receive the rabies inoculation along with subsequent booster shots."
The city said Plano Animal Shelter doesn't routinely test wild animals for rabies unless they've had known contact with a person or pet and are one of five high-risk non-domestic animals which include bats, foxes, skunks, coyotes and raccoons.
The city of Plano encourages anyone who thinks they or their pets may have come into contact with the infected bat to call Animal Services at 972-769-4360.
