Horse killed, two others injured in bee attack

A hive of bees killed one horse and injured two others, in an attack last Thursday at the south end of the Pahrump Valley.

Pahrump Firefighter C.L. Meeks said the 4-year-old mare that died belonged to Pahrump resident Debbie Johnson. Mobile veterinarian Dr. Gerald Henseler said a quarter horse gelding was still being treated Tuesday after its head was swollen from all the bee stings, while a third horse has also been recovering.

"I'm not sure what set them off either. It was something like he (the owner) sprayed some fly repellent called Bronco on the horse and the bees totally went nuts," Henseler said. "It's kind of a freak occurrence, but we should be on the lookout for hives. Their character defends their hives, that's what causes them to swarm."

Bees are commonly found in holes in trees or on tree limbs, the veterinarian said. Meeks said about 500 stingers were found in the horse that died.

"The owner of the hives called me. He was stung up pretty bad too," Henseler said. "I could barely get out of the truck, I had to get away from that place so they didn't swarm me."