Swarm of killer bees attacks 2 Covina dogs

COVINA, Calif. (KABC) -- A swarm of killer bees attacked two dogs in the backyard of their Covina home, killing one and seriously injuring another.

The Umphenour family adopted German Shepherd mixes, Wolf and Luna, just over a year ago. Brother and sister, the two dogs were in their outdoor play area Sunday night, when a swarm of bees attacked.

The family came home to find their dogs critically injured.

"One of our dogs was still standing, but he was in shock. The other one was in the dog house in convulsions," Heather Umphenour said.

Umphenour rushed the dogs to an animal hospital, but Luna did not survive. Wolf remained hospitalized in stable condition. He suffered hundreds of bee stings and was extremely swollen.

"His face was three times the size than normal. My husband went there today and it was worse," Umphenour said.

Umphenour says she has no idea where the bees came from. She doesn't have a bee hive in her yard.

She alerted the high school next door and says she called county and city officials, but was told there's nothing they can do, because it's on private property.

Umphenour is heartbroken over her dog's death, but is thankful her four children were not home when the swarm of bees descended on her yard.

"It's hard, but I don't want this to happen to anyone else," Umphenour said.