Thousands of bats invade 5th District Courthouse

ST. GEORGE – Got bats? The Washington County 5th District Courthouse does. Thousands of them, in fact. Just one day prior to Halloween, the pesky creatures have begun making themselves at home in the courthouse, located at 206 Tabernacle Street, in St. George.

“They appear to be all over the building,” a 5th District Court employee told St. George News. “We can hear them scratching inside the ceiling in some areas.”

The bat infestation is no Allhallows Eve joke, nor did courthouse officials invite the bats in to make for extra scary court proceedings. The bats, it seems, let themselves in.

Work is currently being done on the outside of the building and sources said they believe the bats entered the building after workers possibly left a vent open.

“Apparently, the court did become aware this morning of this problem with the bats,” Utah Courts spokesperson Nancy Volmer said. “Our facility workers are looking at how to address the issue at this time.”

While most of the bats are currently in the vents, the bats have reportedly been seen in Courtroom 3A, the courthouse stairwells, and the hallway in the probation unit.

Though Volmer reported Thursday afternoon that there has been no impact on court operations, a sign hanging on the reportedly most-infested courtroom door stated the scheduled court proceedings in Courtroom 3A would, instead, be heard in Courtroom 3B. Volmer confirmed the court proceedings were moved due to the bats.

“They’ve got thousands of bats in the courthouse,” a source told St. George News, “and they’re trying to catch them by hand.”

The $29 million courthouse opened its doors in December 2009. The 91,734 sq. ft. building offers plenty of space for the bats to roam and hide.

At last report, sources said 15 of the bats have been captured.

“We did setup a method that will cause the bats to exit the building,” Volmer said, “and then, at that point, they will be able to catch them.”

Volmer said the Division of Natural Resources is also assisting in the situation.

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17 Comments

  • My Evil Twin October 30, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    The cost of the eradication should be taken out of the pay of the IDIOT that left the vent open.

    • Dustin October 30, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      Yeah. He should have known that thousands of bats would somehow find that one little spot and all decide that this one building was the best place to roost. Isn’t that just what always happens?

      Wait… The opposite of that. Never. This isn’t an every-other-tuesday thing, mate.

      • My Evil Twin October 30, 2014 at 8:01 pm

        Bats, bees, other birds, critters, rats, squirrels, guys named Dustin, it doesn’t matter. It is carelessness and stupidity, any way you cut it.

  • Bender October 30, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    Those are the flying mammals Saint George deserves, but not the ones it needs.

  • Billy Madison October 30, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Do the cops have tiny handcuffs? I’m sure that the bats have been dancing and need some jail time.

  • Notagain October 30, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    Now the question remains. Did or Didn’t the outside gang of profiting Halloween actors get a valid permit(with all boxes checked off) before invading the attic dance hall? Where are the police when you need them?

  • The Wife (IncogRedhead) October 30, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    Could have been a lot worse. It could have been a super hive of Africanized Honey Bees. The last thing you want to hear is somebody screaming…Beees! FRECKLES, TAKE SOULS!

  • re October 30, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    Judge not less ye be judged yourself, or be infested by bats! Hehehe

  • 61_Shasta October 30, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    I absolutely agree. All of this mayhem is the direct result of a worker leaving open a small thermal exhaust port only two meters wide…oh wait. Wrong vent.

  • Bevan October 30, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    We must be having a bad season of bats. We found one that drowned in our pool. I guess it’s a lesson on not swimming alone! As for the bats in the courthouse, isn’t that where all blood-suckers (attorneys) hang out?

    • Native born New Mexican October 30, 2014 at 11:01 pm

      Ha Ha Bevan! Good comment. it is also where the crooked judges hang out as well. I wonder if any of the bats have rabies? This is so well deserved and way too funny.

  • The Rest Of The Story October 30, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Seems appropriate for a town where most people are batsh** crazy

  • Dolly October 30, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Bats are notorious rabies carriers. Hope no one comes in contact with them.

    • JOSH DALTON (INCOGNEGRO) October 31, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      I heard the bats brought ebola here…

  • sleepy hallow October 31, 2014 at 11:53 am

    Someone quick….go get Ozzy.

  • Wilbur October 31, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Lawyers will appreciate the bat company – they’re both crazy types anyway.

  • Zonkerb October 31, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    OMG I hope the bats got the proper permit to hangout at the courthouse are the police going to stay there and make sure they don’t dance.?

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