[KHTS] Santa Clarita continues to be the leader in rabies in the Los Angeles County area with another rabid bat that has been found in Newhall on Friday, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials report.

More than 20 rabid bats have been found across the Los Angeles County area with 13 of the bats found in and around Santa Clarita.

The most recent case involved a bat that was seen clinging to a kitchen window screen during the day but was found on ground later in the day, according to the report.

The previous case, reported Aug. 8 involved a bat that was found in the mouth of dog, according to the report. Officials determined the two dogs on property likely had contact and the dogs’ rabies vaccinations were current, so their vaccination will boostered, and they were put under a home quarantine for one month.

Bats most commonly carry rabies although only about 1% of bats in nature are infected with rabies, according to the report. Most bats try to avoid contact with people and pets and are good for the environment because they eat insects and pollinate plants.

Bats are protected by law.

Any bats seen flying in daylight, or found on the ground, are more likely to have rabies, according to the report.

Officials want to warn residents to never touch a bat, alive or dead and to immediately call Animal Control at 661-257-3191.

Here is a complete list of rabid bats found in the Los Angeles County area for 2014 courtesy of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health:

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 seen clinging to kitchen window screen in daylight. Later in day found on ground.