Bee swarm attacks California family hospitalizing 3 and killing 'spunky' family dog

One dog was killed and three people were hospitalized in a San Diego suburb after a swarm of bees attacked a backyard gathering Wednesday.

Tiffany Ahmu told FOX affiliate KUSI that the air in the backyard of her Lemon Grove home was "thick with bees" and that one of her dogs, a 12-year-old-boxer named Kona, was on the ground under attack from the swarm.

"Kona is covered. I couldn’t even see her coat. I pick her up. She’s already limp. She’s still breathing, but limp. I jump to the pool to dust the bees off and I’m covered in bees," Ahmu told the station.

Ahmu was stung multiple times while attempting to rescue the dog sending her to the hospital. Two children were sent to the hospital as a result of bee stings but were quickly released, according to KUSI.

It is currently unknown what species of bee the swarm was made of.

Kona died at a nearby animal urgent care. Ahmu described the rescue and emotional support dog as a playful and having, "Peter Pan Syndrome."

"She was so spunky, still super active and hyper," Ahmu told the station.

What to do if you encounter a bee swarm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report stating that between 2011 and 2021 there were 788 deaths from hornet, wasp, and bee stings, an average of 72 deaths per year. The annual number of deaths ranged from 59 in 2012 to 89 in 2017 with 89% of those deaths occurring in men.

"When dealing with bees that start coming towards you, the first thing they will do is bump you, because if they sting you they die," Duane Combs, president of the Beekeepers Association of Central Arizona and University of Montana master beekeeper told the Arizona Republic − a part of the USA TODAY Network.

Honeybees tend to swarm when they are in the process of stating a new hive, according to Michigan State University Extension’s Department of Entomology. Swarming can occur during beekeeping season, which occurs from the spring through the fall

Combs warned that when near bees it is important to remain calm and the MSU site tells people to contact a beekeeper when a swarm is spotted. Other experts recommend reducing the odds of attracting a swarm's attention by:

• Avoid wearing dark, loose clothing or shiny objects while hiking
• Avoid wearing perfumes, cologne or strong scent
• Not making jerky movements near hives
• Not swatting at bees

Contributing: Nick Piecoro, Kye Graves; Arizona Republic