Caution urged after rabid bat found in town

When those squeaking, flying mammals of the night begin showing up in midday, that could be cause for concern, according to city officials.

Niki Sevesind, the Kalispell Police Department’s animal warden, said a recent situation involving a rabid bat in Kalispell ended without incident but served as a cautionary tale.

Last week, a bat showed up on somebody’s porch on Ninth Street and Second Avenue West. The normally nocturnal creature was lying down in early afternoon, which Sevesind said is not normal for bats.

“That’s what threw flags up,” she said. “It was the middle of the day.”

The residents called the police department and the bat was sent to a lab for testing. It was found to have rabies.

The residents’ dog was current on its rabies vaccination and no people came in contact with the bat.

“If there’s one bat that’s rabid, more than likely there’s others,” Sevesind said. “Most of them don’t carry it, but that population has rabies.”

A pet or child who tries to pick up a bat risks being bitten and possibly infected.

Bats normally come out in the evening to catch insects. They fly around and generally avoid humans. When a bat is found on the ground during the day, that could be a sign of rabies, according to Sevesind.

While the occurrence could be low, bats tend to carry rabies more than any other animal, she added.

Sevesind recommended that pet owners keep their animals current on their vaccinations and educate children. Don’t try to pick up a bat on the ground because it could still be alive.

Call the Kalispell Police Department at 758-7780 to handle the bats.     For people outside of the city, animal control is handled through the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

It can be reached at 758-5585.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.