Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Eek! Rabid Bats Are On the Rise in L.A. and Ventura Counties
Photo by Lord Jim via the LAist Featured Photos pool
()
Carmageddon, pfft! The real threat to our safety and sanity are the rabid bats that are flapping around SoCal, at the ready to bite and infect. If you believethe NY Daily News, who, with (sarcasm) zero scorn for us, warn we're experiencing a bat "take over" in L.A. and Ventura Counties.
A Moorpark man, Steve Spence, has, in fact been bitten, and his little dog, too reports the L.A. Times:
The bat was rabid and had infected Spence. His house is now under quarantine by the Ventura County Department of Public Health. He's taking vaccinations. And it turns out that his dog, Pumba, an American bulldog, was bitten too, though Spence isn't sure when or how.
This week, L.A. County officials reported that 12 rabid bats have been found here, which is an uptick from the usual eight to ten. The bats' locations are scattered around the County, in Cerritos, Glendale, Palmdale, Saugus, and Bellflower, for example. In neighboring Ventura County, 10 bats out of about a dozen collected in Moorpark alone were found to be rabid, the Star reported. Luckily, down in the OC, the rabid bat count is status quo.
Support for LAist comes from
Rabid bats pose a threat to humans and to pets. Dogs and cats may be tempted to play with a bat on the ground and be bitten. Vaccinations are available for pets, and shots are available to humans who have been exposed to the animals.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist