Discovered bats test negative for rabies

Three juvenile bats that were found dead on the roadway Monday in east Flower Mound have tested negative for rabies, said Capt. Wess Griffin of the Flower Mound Police Department.

The town’s animal services division received the results Wednesday from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) laboratory, calming some fears after the division learned that two children were reported to have come in contact with the bats.

The parents of the children were contacted by a local resident and later by animal services. The parents took the children to the doctor for precautionary reasons, Griffin said.

The bats were discovered on the 1100 block of Prospect Drive, just northwest of the intersection of College Road and Kirkpatrick Lane.

Animal services officials believe the bats were killed by another animal, though it’s not clear whether the animal was domestic or a wild animal.

“As is always the case because of numerous animals that can carry a disease,” Griffin said, “it’s important to watch your domestic animals for signs of unusual behavior, such as confusion or being lethargic.”

Griffin said it’s not unusual to have bats in Flower Mound.

“We live in the Cross Timbers area,” Griffin said. “We’ve had bobcats, coyotes, snakes, possums and deer sightings. Because of the natural environment, we have wildlife, and bats are part of that. The Corps of Engineers even puts up a habitat for bats, owls and other beneficial animals.”

Residents are advised not to approach wild animals, especially those showing erratic or unusual behavior. Direct contact with a wild animal by a human or pet should be reported to animal services or the police department at 972-539-0525 if after business hours.

Call animal services at 972-874-6390 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for information.

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