The latest rabid bat to turn up in Los Angeles County flew at a Newhall resident this month after it was spotted in a backyard.

Two dogs and a cat “spent time near the bat,” according to county health officials, and they’ll have to be quarantined.

It was the 16th rabid bat to turn up so far this year in the Santa Clarita Valley and the 28th countywide.

Although the Santa Clarita Valley is home to less than 3 percent of the county’s human population, it’s got 57 percent of the rabid bats at the latest count.

The county has seen a dramatic surge in rabies cases – almost all in bats – over the past four years, and health officials don’t know why. The first non-bat case in a long time involved a skunk that contracted the disease earlier this summer in Long Beach.

Fewer than 1 percent of bats have rabies, but if you see one flopping around on the ground, or bothering (or being bothered by) the family pet, or flying around in the daytime, or dead, it’s probably sick.

And if a bat lunges at you in the backyard, run into the house, shut the door and call Animal Control at 661-257-3191.

Also, be sure the family pets have all their shots. If the dogs and the cat in Newhall weren’t up to date on their shots, they’ll be subject to six months of quarantine. If their shots were current, they’ll spend just a couple of weeks under house arrest.

Rabid bat detections in L.A. County in 2014:

1. Agua Dulce. February. Dead bat found in swimming pool.

2. Los Angeles (West LA). February. Cat found bat in back yard, on ground. Cat placed under quarantine.

3. Santa Clarita (Newhall). April. Bat seen during the day hanging on an outside wall at a residence. It flew away and was later found on the ground.
4. Palmdale. April. Bat found alive at park. Park patron alerted park authorities, who submitted bat for testing.
5. Los Angeles (Koreatown). April. Bat found on an outside stairwell, was lifted by tip of wing and moved to sidewalk by employee.

6. Los Angeles (Century City). April. Bat found flying around in daylight under an awning at a business. Bat fell to ground, was covered with a box, and Animal Control called.

7. Topanga. April. Bat found alive outside a home.

8. Monrovia. May. Bat found alive inside living room of a home. Unknown how long it had been in house. One vaccinated dog and three people in home had  potential for unrecognized bite. People referred to medical care for rabies post-exposure treatment, and dog will be quarantined at home and observed for 30 days.

9. Santa Clarita (Newhall). June. Bat found on patio. It was staggering as it walked. Resident covered bat with pool net until animal control arrived, and kept dog away from it.

10. Los Angeles (Mar Vista). June. Dog caught bat while it was flying in a park in daylight. Person bitten while trying to remove bat from dog. Person sought medical care. Dog was up-to-date on rabies vaccine before incident, was re-vaccinated after and quarantined for a month.

11. Santa Clarita (Newhall). June. Bat found inside a garage.

12. Bradbury. July. Live bat found in back yard. Bit person when picked up. A cat then attacked bat and a dog got near it, possibly came in direct contact. Neither pet was up-to-date on it rabies vaccination. Person referred for medical care. Dog and cat referred for veterinary care for rabies vaccination, placed under 6 month quarantines to observe for rabies.

13. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found alive on ground outside a home.

14. Santa Clarita (Newhall). July. Bat found on ground in front of a garage. Hissed when approached.

15. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found outside of a home.

16. Stevenson Ranch. July. Bat found alive outside a home.

17. La Canada Flintridge. July. Bat found alive outside a home.

18. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Two dogs playing with dead bat. Dogs not up to date on rabies vaccines, so placed under 6 month home quarantine.

19. Encino. July. Bat found on sidewalk in business area.

20. Santa Clarita (Newhall). July. Bat found alive hanging on side of a house in daytime.

21. Santa Clarita (Saugus). August. Bat found alive outside a home.

22. Santa Clarita. August. Bat found in the mouth of dog. Two dogs on property likely had contact. The dogs’ rabies vaccinations were current, so their vaccination will boostered, and they will be under a home quarantine for one month.

23. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Bat found in side yard, hissing a lot.

24. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Bat seen clinging to outside of kitchen window screen, Later found on ground.

25. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). August. Bat found outside of a home.

26. Los Angeles (Los Feliz). August. Bat found lying on its back on a sidewalk. 

27. Canoga Park. August. Bat found in pool. Fished out using net. Was still sitting in same place next day.

28. Santa Clarita (Newhall). September. Bat found in backyard. Flew toward resident. Two dogs and one cat spent time near bat, potentially bitten, to be quarantined.