A SWARM of angry African bees swooped down on a pit bull at Damon’s Street in Dartmouth village on the Essequibo Coast on Saturday morning and stung the animal to death.

Oscar George, the dog’s owner, said the bees have a hive under some dry branches in a coconut tree in his neighbour’s yard, and it was from there that they launched their attack on the pit bull, which had been chained in a kennel. He said that when the bees started their attack, he ran to save his dog, but the large swarm of bees was difficult to overcome, even as the animal tried to free itself from the chain.

George said he was stung several times as he tried to loose the chain and free his dog. He said the animal, which he had purchased for $30,000, succumbed almost instantly to the killer bees’ attack; and thereafter, the bees turned their attention to the poultry in his pen. George said his fowls and ducks were in a fenced area, and hundreds of bees attacked the poultry, killing several instantly; and many of those stung are currently sick and cannot eat.

George said the bees also attacked his home, and his wife and other relatives had to flee the premises for their own safety. He opined that the area is under threat, and life can be lost innocently if the bees are not eradicated as soon as possible.

George is calling on the Ministry of Agriculture, Crops and Livestock Department of the Region 2 Administration, and the Evergreen/Paradise NDC to rid the area of the dangerous bees. He said children are at risk of being attacked when walking along the street near to the coconut tree where the bees have their hive.