A swarm of about 30,000 bees attacked a North Texas couple as they exercised their miniature horses this past weekend, stinging the animals so many times they died.
Swarm of bees covering a fallen log
A swarm of bees attacked a North Texas couple and their miniature horses, stinging the horses so many times they died.
© 2013 by Fir0002/Flagstaffotos
Kristen Beauregard, 44, was stung about 200 times, and her boyfriend about 50 times, but the miniature horses, Chip and Trump, were so covered in bees they shimmered. Neither could be saved.
Beauregard was exercising Trump, a Shetland pony, when he started to jump and kick, she said. That is when a cloud of bees started stinging them all over. Trying to escape, she jumped in the pool and the horse followed. The bees repeatedly attacked each time they tried to leave the water.
Beauregard managed to escaped to the house, and her boyfriend called 911. The miniature horses ran through the yard, rubbing against bushes in an attempt to wipe off the bees.
Firefighters arrived with special gear and a foam substance used to clear the bees and were able to drag the horses into a pasture where police and paramedics tried to treat them.
Chip, a 6-year-old show horse, died before a veterinarian arrived. Trump was sedated and taken to an equine veterinarian, but was so overwhelmed by bites that his body could not handle it. Although the horses weighed around 250 pounds, their bodies could not withstand the toxic bee stings.
The bees also killed five hens, and stung the couple's dog. The bees are being tested to see whether they are Africanized or killer bees. It is unclear what prompted them to leave the hive and attack the couple and their animals.