Just when it was starting to look like the incidents of rabies might be more evenly spread around Los Angeles County this summer, the Santa Clarita Valley played catch-up to regain its position as the county’s leading place for rabies, as it has been the last five years or so.

The SCV might have less than 3 percent of the county’s human population, but five of the last seven rabid bats found in L.A. County (6 of 13 overall) were found in the Santa Clarita Valley – and if the humidity keeps up, well…

The latest rabid bat was found clinging to the side of a business in Canyon Country. Earlier this month, a live rabid bat was found in a Valencia backyard, while a dead one was found in someone’s yard in Saugus.

Bats are the most common carriers of rabies – but not all bats have rabies. In fact, fewer than 1 percent do.

Healthy bats avoid contact with humans and pets, and they fly only at night. They’re actually helpful because they eat bad insects and pollinate plants.

But if you see a bat flying in the daytime, or flopping around on the ground, or pestering Fido or trying to eat out of Fifi’s dish, beware. It’s sick, and it might have rabies. Don’t touch the darned thing, just call Animal Control at (818) 367-8065 and let the professionals handle it.

1. Sierra Madre. January. Bat found alive under a tree and behind a fence in secluded area of a business.

2. Santa Clarita (Saugus). March. Dog carrying live bat it around in its mouth in yard. The dog’s rabies vaccination was up-to-date. The dog received a booster vaccination, and will be monitored for rabies for 30 days.

3. Bell Gardens. March. Bat found alive hanging from eaves of a home.

4. Los Angeles (Brentwood area). March. Bat found alive on ground in front yard. Vaccinated dogs in yard with bat will be observed for rabies for 30 days.

5. Calabasas. March. Bat found in isolated area on second floor of an office complex.

6. Palmdale. April. Bat found in outdoor patio area at a school. Children were indoors at the time, away from bat.

7. Santa Clarita (Newhall). April. Bat found in bushes in front yard of a home.

8. Altadena. April. Dog picked up rabid bat in mouth, carried it into house.

9. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). May. Bat found dead on walkway between two apartment complexes. Posters placed to advise residents.

10. Santa Clarita (Saugus). June. Bat found dead in yard of a home.

11. Calabasas. June. Bat found alive in the yard of a home.

12. Santa Clarita (Valencia). July. Bat found alive in backyard.

13. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found clinging to side of a building at a business.