Several Bats Found in Tolland Homes

The Tolland Public Safety Department has reported that bats have been found in several local homes during the month of August, a concern due to possible rabies exposure.

In a release sent to Tolland Patch, residents are urged to have the animals tested for rabies if a person or pet in their home could have been exposed to the animal.

The state laboratory said there has been "an influx" of rabies positive bats, according to the release.

However, the release also stresses that most are not dangerous and that less than one percent are infected.

Rabies is a disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal if left untreated, according to the state Department of Public Health website. The disease is spread through the saliva of infected animals such as bats, raccoons, dogs, skunks and foxes, the DPH said.

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In 2011, Tolland had one groundhog test positive for the rabies virus. As of July 31, 2012, no animals in town had tested positive, according to the current DPH statistics.

The Public Safety Department asks residents to contact Tolland Animal Control at (860) 871-3676 if there is a bat in their home.