Thread: Bats!

My cats keep bringing them in the house. Mostly dead, but at least 3 live ones. Last night alone there were 2. Fortunately, I was able to just open the front door and they flew out.



It's freaking me out because:

A Zanesville woman is recovering after being bit by a rabid bat.



An official at the Zanesville-Muskingum Health Department says a bat found in a Zanesville woman's home tested positive for rabies by the Ohio Department of Health.



"It was underneath the table," explained Director of Environmental Health Mike Kirsch. "She was making a correction with her copier and low and behold the bat was underneath the table and it flew out and landed on her arm and bit her."



Kirsch says that not all bats are rabid and only those that come in contact with a person or pet should be of concern.



"If there's no contact with the individual leave it alone," said Kirsch. "If it's in your home try and shoo it out of the home as best you can."



The woman bit by the bat is now receiving rabies shots. Kirsch also says that if a pet would come in contact with a bat, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

http://www.whiznews.com/article.php?articleId=26666

[quote name='PoliticalHotwire' date='18 August 2009 - 11:54 AM' timestamp='1250610871' post='7239']

Your cat must be a rockstar. Bats must be an epic pain to catch!

[/quote]



I have several at the moment, and they are all rockstars when it comes to being predators. I just wish they'd kill the shit before they brought it in through the doggy door.

Be cautious around any bat.



http://www.cdc.gov/RABIES/bats.html

[quote name='Bourne' date='18 August 2009 - 01:08 PM' timestamp='1250615320' post='7271']

Be cautious around any bat.



http://www.cdc.gov/RABIES/bats.html

[/quote]



How come people can't just get rabies vaccinations like cats and dogs do?

Another one! I think it was a leftover from last night. I managed to grab it off the side of the fireplace with barbeque tongs. I had a death grip on it and it was squealing like crazy, but when I tossed it outside, it just flew away like it was fine.



This shit is really hard on my nerves.

[quote name='Blueneck' date='18 August 2009 - 05:38 PM' timestamp='1250635123' post='7464']

Another one! I think it was a leftover from last night. I managed to grab it off the side of the fireplace with barbeque tongs. I had a death grip on it and it was squealing like crazy, but when I tossed it outside, it just flew away like it was fine.



This shit is really hard on my nerves.

[/quote]



Don't touch them. The tongs are excellent but why is your home attracting so many bats? Be very cautious Blue.

[quote name='Bourne' date='18 August 2009 - 07:28 PM' timestamp='1250638138' post='7477']

Don't touch them. The tongs are excellent but why is your home attracting so many bats? Be very cautious Blue.

[/quote]



It's not "attracting them" the cats are going out, catching them, and bringing them in through the doggie door at night and letting them go.



Do they migrate south in the fall?? Because this doesn't happen in the winter.

[quote name='johnlocke' date='18 August 2009 - 08:20 PM' timestamp='1250641224' post='7492']

The cats are trying to teach you how to hunt.

They look at your stunted nose, poor vision, stubby fingers (without claws), lack of real ears, can't hear shit, never learned to pounce and stalk... they think you're a deformed and retarded cat. Next time pounce on the bat and bite it. You won't have to worry about the cats bringing them in after that.

[/quote]



Or I could just invite Bourne over and then I wouldn't have to worry about having cats after that.