Bees kill 22 dogs in attack

2006-09-03 22:25

Dries Liebenberg

Durban - A total of 22 dogs, among them 12 puppies, have died after a swarm of angry bees attacked people and animals at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Newcastle.

One of the committee members who rushed to the SPCA's offices to help, Janine de Waal, received at least 50 bee stings.

The poison from the bee stings was too much for Larry, an 80kg bull mastiff/Great Dane cross, who had been in tip-top condition.

SPCA chairperson Beulah Engelbrecht said: "Larry's front paws were a bloodied mess.

Puppies tried to burrow

"The bees stung his ears, eyes and mouth to such an extent that he bit his own tongue."

One of the animals was stung more than 200 times.

Engelbrecht said: "It was pandemonium. I've never experienced anything like it.

"The puppies tried to burrow into the soil to get away from the bees.

"It was unreal to watch the people running in the midst of the bees, trying to get away."

No one knows what caused the swarm to attack.

Five SPCA personnel and six committee members who rushed to the area after hearing of the attack, grabbed animals and ran into the office with them.

The injured animals were put into cages and rushed to the veterinary surgeon, who treated 30 dogs.

Beehive under Wendy house

Engelbrecht said: "The poison immediately affected the puppies' lungs and most of them were unconscious by the time they got to the vet."

The beehive was found under the floor of a Wendy house on the premises.

A pest-control company later removed it.

- Beeld