Three rodeo horses died and their owners were hospitalized after a suspected Africanized bee attack near Comanche, Texas.
COMANCHE, Texas — Three rodeo horses died after a swarm of aggressive bees attacked them and their owners Friday just outside the City of Comanche, authorities said.
On May 9, Comanche Volunteer Fire Department responded to a 911 call reporting bees attacking horses along FM 590. Firefighters requested additional bee suits from a neighboring department before arriving to help the situation.
The horses’ owners sustained numerous bee stings while trying to move the panicked animals away from the swarm. Comanche County EMS took both individuals to a local hospital for treatment. A deputy from the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Upon arrival, a firefighter and one of the owners donned bee suits to reach the animals. The fire crew added soap to the truck’s water tank and sprayed the horses in an attempt to deter the bees. Despite their efforts, the horses had already suffered extensive stings, primarily around their eyes, nostrils and mouths.
A local veterinarian and vet technician provided emergency treatment on-site. An exterminator wearing a bee suit located the hive in a tree in the front yard, an area where the horses had been moved earlier that morning. The owners said they were unaware of the hive’s presence.
According to a public post from one of the owners, all three horses were transported to an equine veterinary facility but later died from the effects of venom and organ failure.
Officials suspect the bees may have been Africanized honey bees, often referred to as “killer bees”, due to the intensity and persistence of the attack. However, they noted that any bees will defend their hive if they perceive a threat.
Comanche County fire officials emphasized that while bee-related calls are common in spring and summer, extermination is only considered when there’s an imminent threat to humans or animals.
Residents are urged to be vigilant as warming weather and recent rains have spurred wildflower blooms and increased bee activity.
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