BOWIE, MD — On Sunday, October 15, 2017 at approximately 5 p.m. an Animal Control Officer was dispatched to Allen Pond Park concerning a bat confined to the women’s brick bathroom. The bat was subsequently captured and has tested positively for rabies.

If any park visitors or their pets came in contact with this bat, they are asked to call one of the following numbers for further instructions:

• Bowie Animal Control: 301-809-3002
• Prince George’s Health Department: 301-583-3750 (24-hour line: 240-508-5774)

The rabies virus is transmitted primarily by warm-blooded animals such as bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks. Some animals will appear sick or behave differently if they have rabies. Other times, such as in the case of bats, it may be difficult to tell if an animal is infected, so it is important to use caution whenever one encounter a wild animal and to make sure that pet vaccinations are current.

For more information about rabies visit:

• Health Department on Rabies
• Center for Disease Control on Rabies