Focusing on bats in your May 13 article "Keep rabies in mind outdoors" unfortunately fosters the stereotype that bats are dangerous, rabid creatures. This misinformed stereotype makes people fear a beneficial and generally safe mammal.

Bats eat insects and pollinate flowers. They are an asset to gardeners, farmers and folks who enjoy being outside without being eaten alive by mosquitoes. The best way to catch a bat indoors is to wait until it gets tired, then put on some gloves and gently place it in a box. Most of the time, "putting a box over it and somehow cover[ing] it" only injures the frightened bat.

Next time, perhaps you could tell readers how to catch a rabid raccoon, since this is the species most likely to have rabies.

Sarah Drewett

Chapel Hill

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