BENTON - A bat found in Benton Community Park did have rabies, said Robin Koehl of Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department.

The bat was discovered late Monday evening on a walking path at the park, located on the city's southwest side. Bi-County submitted the bat to a state lab for testing and confirmation of rabies was received Thursday, she said.

Despite the discovery, Koehl said park visitors need not panic, but rather they should be aware of the danger posed by some animals, particularly those acting in an unusual manner such as the bat at the park.

"Bats should be flying, hanging or perched, not on the ground as this one was," she said. "There was no human exposure to the rabid bat, but this should serve as a reminder to the public to avoid contact with any wild, unfamiliar or stray animals and they should report animals that are acting abnormally to their local animal control."

She said children especially should be warned as they are often curious and have a tendency to pick up small animals.

"All animals have the potential of having rabies, so children should be reminded to never touch a wild animal or even a domestic one they don't know," Koehl said.

Last year, she said, out of 1,311 bats tested, only 46, or 3.5 percent, had confirmed rabies.

"The majority are not rabid," she said. "And rabies is even more rare in humans."

Rabies is most commonly reported in raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes and coyotes, as well as domestic animals such as cats, dogs and cattle. All domestic animals and valuable livestock should be vaccinated against the disease.

Anyone bitten by an animal should report the bite to animal control or the local health department, and seek medical attention. beckymalk@gmail.com 927-5633