A bat found at a city park in Rancho Cucamonga on Jan. 4 has tested positive for the rabies virus, according to a city news release.

City field services officers responded to Mountain View Park on Terra Vista Parkway, after the bat was found by a Good Samaritan. It was taken to the San Bernardino County Public Health Department for testing.

About 20 percent of bats found on the ground test positive for rabies, but county public health officials estimate only one-half of one percent of the bat population is infected with the virus, the news release stated.

Rabies is a rare, fatal viral infection of the brain that can infect animals and humans.

If other bats are found, the incident should be reported to city Animal Services dispatch at 909-466-7387, ext. 2083 so officers may safely remove the bat.

The city encouraged owners of dogs, cats and horses to get their pets vaccinated for rabies.