Bats are the main cause of rabies in the United States, not dogs: CDC

Poor Old Yeller had a bad reputation.

According to a new CDC report, bats and other wildlife are the leading cause of rabies in the United States, according to Science News.

The findings state that 70% of all rabies cases reported in the United States are bat-related, while other wildlife species such as foxes, skunks and raccoons are also a threat.

The variant of the canine rabies virus was first targeted in 1947 and completely eradicated from the United States in 2004. The CDC has described it as "one of the most important successes in public health of the 20th century ".

However, dog rabies remains a global risk, especially for international travelers, according to the study.

Thirty-six US residents have died of canine rabies since 1960.

Recently, a Norwegian died after being bitten by a rabid infected puppy she saved in the Philippines.

Emily Pieracci, veterinary epidemiologist at the CDC, warned people against the dangers of approaching wild animals. "You can not tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it," she told Science News.