Don't be alarmed but it seems a rabid bat was found in Kyle shopping center

It seems a tad late to be telling us this now – five days after the fact – but the city is just today informing the public a rabid bat was found Sunday on the ground outside the Kohl’s department store on Kyle Parkway. Maybe it took all this time to test the bat to confirm it had rabies. I dunno. Plus, I’m also hoping that anyone who came in close physical contact with this mammal headed straight for the family physician immediately afterward. I know when it comes to untrained animals of any variety, my inherent cowardice is going to immediately propel me as fast as possible in another direction. I don’t know how many of you saw the movie Wild, but, if you did, you might remember a scene in which the Reese Witherspoon character encounters a rattlesnake and she cautiously creeps around the dang thing. And I’m silently screaming at the screen "You’re still too close! You’re still too close! Go to the other side of the mountain!"

Now I’m guessing there are a lot braver souls than I when it comes to dealing with creatures such as this. And for all of you, the city passes along the following advice:

"As soon as a grounded bat is found, it should be isolated to prevent further contact with people and animals. If you can isolate the bat, wear leather gloves cover it with a pail, coffee can or similar container and place a heavy object such as a brick or rock on top of the container to secure it. If a human exposure has occurred the bat will need to be tested for rabies."

So, in an effort to not be completely useless in situations such as this, if you need someone to find a coffee can or a brick, I’m your man. If you’re talking about the isolating part, not so much.

Thank goodness there’s someone at the city who thinks along the same lines. This wise person is Kyle Animal Control officer Briana Brecher. Read what she says on the subject:

"Bats can be really cool to watch when they're flying around in large groups, but you should never try to get close to a bat. If you see a bat, alive or dead, please stay away from it and don’t touch it. If the bat is in an enclosed area like your home, please call Kyle Animal Control at 512-268-3232."

Amen to that.

Now the city is asking me and anyone else within shouting citizen to say if you or anyone you know did come in contact with this web-winged monster, you should immediately contact Kyle Animal Control at the above mentioned telephone number.