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PUEBLO, COLO. -- Pueblo Health Department officials announced Tuesday three bats and another skunk have tested positive for rabies in the city.

The rabid skunk brings the total number of rabid skunks found in the city in 2011 to eight. The most recent was found near 22nd Lane and Daniel Road.

These are the first three bats found with rabies this year. In El Paso County, there were also six skunks and a fox found with rabies.

"Rabies is in Pueblo.  People need to know that bats do carry rabies and to take precautions to protect themselves and their pets,” Heather Maio, Environmental Health Director at the Pueblo City-County Health Department, said in a statement. “For pets, make sure they are vaccinated for rabies. Call Animal Control Services if you find a bat in your home or a skunk near your home, especially during daylight hours."

Maio said while rabies is most commonly found in bats and skunks, people should keep their pets away from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons.

“When a bat is acting aggressively, lying on the ground, or out during the daylight hours, it may be ill.  Do not try to catch flying bats and do not handle bats,” Maio said. “Call Pueblo Animal Control if a bat is found with these characteristics.”

Mayo said it is important to get your pets vaccinated to prevent rabies.

“Household pets may come in contact with a rabid animal, and the pet owner may not know about the encounter. Therefore, protect your pets against rabies with a simple and effective rabies vaccination.  Make sure all your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations,” Maio said. "Do not leave pet food outside as it may attract wildlife, putting your pet at risk for rabies."

Here are some rabies prevention tips from Pueblo health officials:

Ensure that dogs, cats and ferrets are vaccinated properly against rabies by a licensed veterinarian.  Rabies vaccination requires booster doses.

• Discuss vaccinating horses and other livestock with your veterinarian. If you believe your animal has been exposed to rabies, or possibly bitten by a rabid animal, immediately contact your veterinarian.
• Do not feed wild animals or allow your pets around them. Teach children to stay away from wild mammals. Do not keep pet food outside as that may attract wild animals.
• Protect all pets, particularly animals too young to be vaccinated, from contact with wild animals. Puppies and kittens should be vaccinated for rabies as early as three months old.
• Contact your veterinarian if your dog or cat is bitten or scratched by wild animals, such as skunks, bats, foxes or raccoons.
• If you or a family member has been bitten by a wild animal or a domestic animal, contact your physician and Pueblo Animal Services at 719-544-3005.
• If you see a skunk or other wild mammal that is acting abnormally, such as stumbling or acting overly aggressive especially during daylight hours, make sure you keep children and pets away from the animal and call 9-1-1.
• To remove a dead skunk or other wildlife on your property, do not touch the animal.  Remove the carcass with a shovel or other tool and double bag it for the trash.
• Take steps to “bat proof” your home.