If you see a bat on the ground, do not touch it with bare hands.

Keep people and pets away from it.

If the bat is moving and appears healthy, leave it alone. If the bat is active during daylight hours, it will most likely be disoriented and may be sick. If it appears sick and shows little movement, contact your local animal control agency (link to animal control) and gently cover the bat with a container until they arrive. Make sure no one touches the bat.

If someone has touched or been bitten by the bat, the situation must be treated as a potential rabies exposure. You will need to submit the bat for rabies testing. Simply place a box over the animal and contact public health at 213-989-7060 as well as your local animal control agency

If you have additional concerns about identifying a potential rabies exposure or advice on capturing the bat, please go to the Bats in the House webpage.