Bee Attack Kills Cocker Spaniel

A 4-year-old cocker spaniel died Tuesday, a day after coming under attack by a swarm of bees nesting in discarded backyard tires, authorities said.

Pinto was treated by a veterinarian after Monday's attack and released but died at his home in this suburb 25 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, apparently from the bee stings, said Capt. Aaron Reyes of the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority.

"What a sad ending," Reyes said.

Pinto's owner was cutting brush in the yard when she disturbed the bee colony, according to Capt. Rick Tiberio of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

A bee expert who went to the scene estimated there were about 20,000 bees.

The dog tried to hide under a woodpile and bags of recycled cans.

A beekeeper used smoke on the bees to calm them. Children at a nearby school were called indoors until the bees could be removed, Reyes said.

Pinto was retrieved, his fur and tail still full of bees. Reyes said an animal control officer counted roughly 100 bee stings.

The dog was treated and released but went into convulsions early Tuesday and died, Reyes said.

The bees appeared to have been European rather than the more aggressive Africanized "killer" bees, he said.