Rabid Bat Warning in Los Angeles

21 rabid bats have been found in the L.A. region this year so far.

This is apparently twice the number typically found in the area, which means that about 10 rabid bats are identified annually.

Local officials are warning residents to avoid touching ANY wild animals.

"Make sure that children know to leave bats and other wildlife alone and keep pets away from wild animals," the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a statement. "If you see a sick bat or other sick animal, contact your local animal control agency."

Rabies under the elms

Rabid Coyote in Rye Brook, Connecticut

The news is a few months old but I was alerted to this story of a rabid coyote in Westchester County who lunged at 2-year-old girl, bit her father, and scratched a teenage boy one Sunday in September. Aggressiveness in animals is always a bad sign. Luckily all three individuals are getting treatment against rabies.