The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section confirmed today, Wednesday, August 17, 2011, the second positive rabies case in Polk County this year.

On August 11, 2011, the victim’s dogs found a bat in the yard of their residence located on Shimmering Drive, Lakeland.

Both dogs attacked the bat and had it in their mouths. The bat died as a result of the attack. Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Officers were contacted and responded. The bat was impounded and sent for rabies testing. The bat was confirmed positive for rabies by the State Laboratory today.  

The victim’s dogs will be quarantined for 45 days as they were current on all vaccines.