LEWISTON — A bat found by a resident of a home in the area Montello Street and Sherbrooke Avenue last weekend was rabid, according to Lewiston police.

The resident contacted animal control, leading to the creature being tested and confirmed positive for rabies, police said in a statement issued Tuesday morning.

Police urged residents in that area to exercise caution when dealing with wild animals that could possibly be rabid. Bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are common carriers.

To report possible human exposure to rabies, for consultation, or for lab testing questions, police suggest contacting Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention at 1-800-821-5821 or going to www.maine.gov/dhhs/rabies or www.mainepublichealth.gov/lab. The Lewiston Police Department can also be contacted 795-9010 at for additional guidance and information or to file a report of a possible rabid animal.