MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) are reminding the community to be aware of bats, report bat exposure and be wary of the rabies risk that comes with bats. 

MACC is saying they have received “several reports of bats in homes every day”, with some that tested positive for rabies. 

Pets and bat exposure

MACC recommends that all pets should be vaccinated against rabies, as it is 100% fatal if pets aren’t vaccinated. 

“Pets are like young children. They’re vulnerable and can’t speak to tell us if they come close to a bat or just see it from across a room,” said Tony Schendel, MACC director. “They need to be vaccinated to help prevent this horrible disease. Rabies is 100 percent fatal in pets if they’re not protected.” 

Here’s what is recommended if your pet is exposed to a bat or bit: 

• Pets should be taken to a veterinary office or clinic for a rabies booster within 72 hours of exposure or bite, even if your pet is already vaccinated against rabies.
• MACC says the pet could have a time of confinement and/or quarantine, with lengths varying.
• If your pet is not vaccinated and exposed to a bat, MACC will impound it until the bat has been tested and tests negative.

MACC is going to offer low-cost vaccine appointments on-site and will be made available in the next few months. 

These Minneapolis clinics can also provide rabies vaccines for pets: 

• Creekview Recreation Center, 5001 Humboldt Avenue North, has walk-up appointments from 9 a.m.- noon on the third Sunday of each month.
• VeTouch, 2501 Minnehaha Avenue, has appointments available on the first Sunday of each month. To make an appointment email vetouch@umn.edu.

Humans and bat exposure

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says rabies in humans is rare, but there are steps to be taken if you are exposed to or bitten by a bat: 

• After being bitten or having a “low-risk exposure like waking up to a bat in your bedroom”, MDH says it‘s safe to wait one or two days for the rabies test results to come back to take any further action.
• If you are bitten on the face or head, it could be more urgent, and MDH encourages you to consult them by calling 651-201-5414.
• But if the bat can’t be  tested, you should get the rabies shots.

“Bats can fit through a hole the size of a dime, so people can help keep bats out of their homes by plugging up exterior openings, gaps around utility lines and spaces between a window and an air conditioning unit,” said Carrie Klumb, senior epidemiologist and rabies surveillance coordinator with the MDH. “People can also have a bat removal specialist out to their homes to help them.” 

How to handle and report a bat

MACC asks people to safely capture the bat, to learn how to do so, watch this video. After capturing the bat, call 911 and have a professional collect the animal. 

According to officials, a bat should be tested if: 

• A person was bitten or had any physical contact with the bat.
• Waking up and finding a bat in the bedroom.
• A bat that was in a room with a young child or a person who can’t reliably report what happened.

Any questions about bats or need assistance from MACC, call 612-673-6222. You can also call the Minnesota Animal Bites and Rabies Hotline at 651-201-5414. 

When are bats more common? 

MDH says that July through mid-September is the busiest time of year for bats, as they seek shelter in warmer places, like homes, as temperatures get colder. 

Bats are the most common animal to carry rabies, the Centers for Disease and Control said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Surveillance video shows people armed with baseball bats bashing the glass doors of a Minneapolis homeless shelter.

Sixteen families of women and children have moved out of St. Anne’s Place since the attack.

“A normal response is to be afraid,” said Hoang Murphy, the CEO of People Serving People, which runs the shelter. “Their intention is to cause fear.”

Murphy says the neighbors across the street are responsible.

He says the attack was an escalation of a parking disagreement involving a resident’s van, but smashing the door panels wasn’t the worst of it.

“[Staff] heard two gunshots, and then there was also two bullet holes in the van when we went outside to address it,” Murphy said. “A guest reported being pistol-whipped in the front of her head and the back.”

Police were called, but Murphy is baffled and frustrated that no one’s been arrested.

“Charges need to be filed,” he said. “That’s the beginning of making sure that this is safe, and it’s a trusting place that families and staff can return to.”

The Minneapolis Police Department said in an email, “Officers were not able to establish a level of certainty that supported an arrest. All involved individuals were identified, and the case was assigned to an investigator.”

A spokesperson says the department’s reviewing all footage.

In the meantime, Minneapolis police put up a camera out front and say they’re doing extra patrols in the neighborhood.

The shelter has also hired 24-hour security.

“I’d like to hope we all have the same goal here, which is we want to make sure justice is served,” Murphy said. “They have identified these folks. This needs to be addressed.”

The shelter was home to 54 women and children.

They’ve lost track of two of the families. The rest are in a hotel, which Murphy says is not a long-term solution.

See the Minneapolis Police Department’s full response below:

MPD has continued to communicate with leadership at St Annes Place on the status of this investigation.  That communication includes much of the following information:

• Why were no arrests made?
  • Tensions were high between the two groups at the scene. Officers worked diligently to de-escalate the scene to gather the necessary information.  
  • Both sides remained escalated and both groups claimed to have been assaulted. 
  • Officers were not able to establish a level of certainty that supported an arrest.  All involved individuals were identified, and the case was assigned to an investigator. 
  • MPD is still reviewing reports and BWC to determine if a “pistol whipping” was communicated to police on September 5th.
  • Officers identified 2 parties (1 adult and 1 juvenile) who broke windows.  
  • Investigators are anticipating a quote for repair of for the damaged from SAP.  This will help to determine the level of the crime. 
  • An investigator has been assigned this case and an active investigation is underway.  –
• What is missing from the available evidence that you still need to make an arrest? 
  • MPD is awaiting a quote for the damaged property –  
  • MPD has been awaiting surveillance video of the incident.  It was provided on September 9th.
  • 4th Precinct Acting Inspector Hand requested contact information for potential victims claiming to have been assaulted.  Until September 9th, no video of an assault has been identified or made available. 
  • Investigators spoke with two individuals on September 9th who provided statements about an assault they state occurred on September 5th.   
  • If sufficient evidence becomes available, charges will be submitted for consideration.                             
• What is MPD willing to do to ensure the safety of the 54 homeless women and children served at the shelter?
  • 4th Precinct officers and Guardian Beats are conducting extra patrols in the neighborhood. 
  • A mobile camera was placed outside SAP
• Will MPD commit to supporting a restorative process with the neighbors who live near the shelter to repair so we can bring families back?
  • A social worker will be notified who are trained in dealing with neighbor disputes and have the resources to assist in facilitating a conversation regarding parking issues to prevent future damage to property and/or violence.
  • 4th Precinct Acting Inspector Hand has met with SAPs leadership on the above questions.