Swarm of bees attack man, kill dog in Houston
HOUSTON A grandfather was stung and a dog killed by bees swarming in the backyard of a house in Houston on Thursday, reports CBS affiliate station KHOU 11 News.
Manuel Rodriguez Sr. was mowing his son's backyard and Ace the dog was tied up while he worked.
"Ace was tied up here and he was over here," Manuel Jr. said. "He heard him barking so he brought him some water. He heard him barking and yelping again and he saw the bees."
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The bees are living in a large oak tree in the backyard, but the Rodriguez family never imagined they would attack.
"I mean — I had seen a couple before but I didn't think it was anything to this extent," Manuel Jr. said.
The elder Rodriguez tried to get the bees off the dog and was pulling him down the street but it was too late.
He went inside the house to tell his grandson, Isaac.
"My grandpa he said your dog is dead," Isaac said. "I opened the door to get a better look."
Thirteen-year-old Isaac walked outside and saw Ace's limp body in the yard.
"I loved that dog," Isaac said. "I was thinking 'Man, I didn't want Ace to die like this.'"
Manuel Sr. ended up in the hospital for his stings and is expected to get out of the hospital on Friday.
KHOU 11 News called the local pest control to come out and take a look at the tree.
Claude Griffin with Gotcha Pest Control said there are 15 feet of bees inside the trunk and more than 250 pounds of honey.
After his quick check, he noticed something else.
"The case is you have some African bees and some honey bees," Griffin said. "They are fighting over who's going to live in this house."
Gotcha Pest Control will be back on Monday to take care of the job.
It's believed there are hundreds of thousands of bees in that tree and everyone in the neighborhood was advised to make sure pets are inside and windows are closed while they are gone to work