14 DAY TRIAL // A pitbull has been killed in a bee attack in North Hollywood, California on Saturday, March 16.
The incident has prompted a neighborhood alert, since residents were not aware of the existence of the hive.
According to NBC Los Angeles, the five-year-old dog died after being stung repeatedly by a swarm of bees, as a tree was being cut down.
The incident took place at 11500 block on Cumpston Street, KABC details. The female dog by the name of Babe did not belong to the family who called in the trimmer crew.
As one of the branches was removed, bees swarmed at workers, residents and pets playing in the area, but none of the people present during the incident reported serious injuries.
“The bees just dispersed everywhere. [...] Right away, they started attacking the guys cutting the trees down and myself, I was sitting in the driveway, so right away we all just took off and started running.
“They were chasing us down the street. We got stung a few times. I got stung several times, on the side of my face and on the head,” a neighbor describes.
“We’ve all got kids and dogs. Luckily, they didn’t hurt any kids, but it’s terrible they hurt a dog,” a homeowner tells KTLA.
“You can imagine how many bees it took to take a dog out like that,” resident Donald Patterson notes.
Los Angeles firefighters were called in to kill the bees, and sprayed foam and water in order to eliminate the hazard.
“We arrived to find a swarm of bees agitated by a trimming crew,” Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey recalls.
Exterminator Mason Denny warns against perturbing hives, as the dangerous insects will easily be stirred up and attack.
“Don't provoke the bees, don't throw anything at them. Common sense you know,” he advises in an interview with CBS LA.