Unlicensed Cat Encounters Bat in Apt

[Ben Shaw]

Recently I had a bat caught in one of my units that has a cat in it. We've had two other instances in the past year a bat has gotten in the basement and guys from another unit have caught it and let it go. This time, the young lady caught the bat and told me it was trapped, after which I called animal control to have it tested. It came out that her cat was unlicensed and unvaccinated, a requirement in MN (it was the first time I had allowed an animal and I didn't check when I screened her), so the cat had to go with animal control for a couple of days until the bat could get tested for rabies. Results came back--no rabies. Now my tenant wants me to pay for the boarding fees for her cat while it was there. However, if her cat was licensed appropriately, he would have been vaccinated and he wouldn't have had to go with animal control; he could have quarantined at home.

My question is, am I opening myself up to liability of some kind if I pay for the boarding fee? I don't necessarily want to admit guilt in any way since it was her responsibility to license the cat.

I do want to provide a safe living space, so I'm doing what I can to prevent bat visits from reoccurring.

M

[Jonathan R McLaughlin]

Definitely on her. I thought she had snuck the cat in and had the chutzpah to ask you to board it which is kind of awesome but I see you allowed it. Don't go too far down the conflict road with this though and depending on the relationship you could throw in something. 

As @Scott Mac hinted at (and his first line is hilariously true) this can become a major habitability issue really quickly. One bat...usually not a problem. An infestation of bats? Depending on the state you may have to pay to move people out and house while you detox while a certified person establishes they are out and you can be in a world of hurt DIYing it. Thousands of dollars. Thats an uncommon nightmare scenario, but it is possible. I know people who have had it happen. We had to batproof our property due to a visitor and the bill was unpleasant.

I believe the medical recs are still if you wake up and there is a bat in the room you should go get the rabies shot. Used to be 12 in the stomach but I think they have improved it :)

Nasty little #$#3ers....