Post by L Roebuck on Jan 16, 2006 13:32:43 GMT -5
Four bats are loose in county
Caution is urged; as rabies possible
By Anne Krueger and Angelica Martinez
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
January 13, 2006
Four of eight bats taken from a cave in Big Bear and offered for sale on the Internet are loose in San Diego County, and officials worry they might be rabid.
Christopher William Ebert, 26, of El Cajon has been charged with eight misdemeanor counts of possession of a bat. State law prohibits possession because bats can carry rabies and spread the disease by biting people and animals.
Dawn Danielson, director of county animal services, said Ebert placed an ad for eight Townsend's long-eared bats on the Internet site craigslist.org from Jan. 4 to 8. His price was $50 each.
Danielson said a former Florida animal-control officer living in San Diego saw the ad and contacted Ebert. The animal control officer told Ebert that bat possession is illegal and Ebert agreed to give the animal control officer two bats to be tested for rabies, Danielson said. The tests were negative.
Ebert also had two dead bats that were tested for rabies with negative results, but he told officials that four other bats had gotten away, Danielson said.
"That could be an issue," she said of the four. "They are not native to this area, and they may be sick."
It is not known how long Ebert had the bats in his possession, Danielson said. He fed them fruit even though they're not fruit bats; they eat insects.
Anyone who may have purchased or handled the bats is at risk for contracting rabies and is urged to call county Animal Services at (619) 236-4250.
If you find a sick or dead bat, do not release or dispose of it. Instead, call the county's Diagnostic Laboratory at (858) 694-2838 so the bat can be tested for rabies.
Rabies can be a fatal disease that attacks the nervous system of humans and other mammals. It is usually transmitted to humans when they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. Without treatment, a person exposed to rabies is likely to die.
Danielson said Ebert has been cooperative with authorities and apparently didn't realize the risk of contracting rabies from a bat. Ebert could not be reached for comment.
"I think he feels very badly about this," she said. "I think he'll never do this again."
www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060113-9999-2m13bats.html
Caution is urged; as rabies possible
By Anne Krueger and Angelica Martinez
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
January 13, 2006
Four of eight bats taken from a cave in Big Bear and offered for sale on the Internet are loose in San Diego County, and officials worry they might be rabid.
Christopher William Ebert, 26, of El Cajon has been charged with eight misdemeanor counts of possession of a bat. State law prohibits possession because bats can carry rabies and spread the disease by biting people and animals.
Dawn Danielson, director of county animal services, said Ebert placed an ad for eight Townsend's long-eared bats on the Internet site craigslist.org from Jan. 4 to 8. His price was $50 each.
Danielson said a former Florida animal-control officer living in San Diego saw the ad and contacted Ebert. The animal control officer told Ebert that bat possession is illegal and Ebert agreed to give the animal control officer two bats to be tested for rabies, Danielson said. The tests were negative.
Ebert also had two dead bats that were tested for rabies with negative results, but he told officials that four other bats had gotten away, Danielson said.
"That could be an issue," she said of the four. "They are not native to this area, and they may be sick."
It is not known how long Ebert had the bats in his possession, Danielson said. He fed them fruit even though they're not fruit bats; they eat insects.
Anyone who may have purchased or handled the bats is at risk for contracting rabies and is urged to call county Animal Services at (619) 236-4250.
If you find a sick or dead bat, do not release or dispose of it. Instead, call the county's Diagnostic Laboratory at (858) 694-2838 so the bat can be tested for rabies.
Rabies can be a fatal disease that attacks the nervous system of humans and other mammals. It is usually transmitted to humans when they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. Without treatment, a person exposed to rabies is likely to die.
Danielson said Ebert has been cooperative with authorities and apparently didn't realize the risk of contracting rabies from a bat. Ebert could not be reached for comment.
"I think he feels very badly about this," she said. "I think he'll never do this again."
www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060113-9999-2m13bats.html