Allen County saw an increase of reported animal bites last year, with 783 bites in 2021, up from 722 in 2020.
The Allen County Department of Health, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control and the Allen County Sheriff’s Department are reminding residents to report animal bites, including those from dogs, cats, raccoons and bats, immediately after contact.
August tends to be a busy month for bat activity, according to the health department. In the U.S., bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in people and quickly reporting bites and exposure lessens the chance of negative outcomes.
Bats have small, sharp teeth that may not leave visible marks. If you find a bat in your home, the health department encourages residents to safely contain the bat and call animal care and control immediately.
To safely capture a bat:
- Close windows and well as room and closet doors
- Turn on lights
- Wait for the bat to land
- Wearing long sleeves and heavy gloves, cover the bat with a pail or similar container
- NEVER touch a bat with bare hands
- Call Animal Care and Control
Grounded bats outdoors can be contained by covering it with a pail or similar container.
Other tips to protect yourself from animals:
- DO NOT keep wild animals as pets
- Avoid animals you don’t know – including loose dogs or feral cats – or those that are wild, sleeping, injured, eating or caring for young
- Don’t feed or attempt to touch wild animals
- Eliminate entry points around your home, garage, storage sheds or other structures
- Keep pet food away from wild animals and secure garbage bin lids
- Make sure pets are up-to-date on rabies shots
