The Santa Clarita Valley’s fifth rabid bat of the season turned up in a local driveway in the latter part of July, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The bat was weak but alive. But probably not for long.

The SCV has seen a disproportionately large share of rabies cases the last three years. The five bats found in the SCV since May represent one-third of the Los Angeles County total of 15.

File photo by Wendy Langhans

In a “normal” year, just eight to 10 rabid bats are identified throughout the whole county. Their numbers are on the rise, and officials don’t know why. Records have been kept since the 1960s.

Bats are the most common carriers of rabies, by far. But most bats don’t have rabies. Fewer than 1 percent do.

Healthy bats fly at night and try to avoid humans and pets.

So if you see a bat flying during the daytime, or attacking the family dog or its food bowl, or flopping around on the ground, or dead, there’s probably something wrong with it. Don’t touch it, and do call Animal Control. If you think you’ve been bitten – the bite marks are small and it’s hard to tell – call 9-1-1.