Los Angeles may soon lift restrictions on backyard beekeeping.
42% of professionally kept bee populations have died off, according to a report released in May, as reported on in the Los Angeles Times. While the Times notes that backyard beekeeping can’t replace these losses, it may help.
The City Council approved last week a request to the City Attorney’s office to produce an ordinance allowing all homeowners to own beehives, according to KPCC public radio.
There has been some question over the safety of backyard hives. The Studio City Neighborhood Council has opposed the ordinance according to KPCC. The council wanted novice beekeepers to take courses and have insurance while expert beekeepers they wanted to be registered.
In July a man keeping bees in his back yard illegally was stung, as was his dog, ABC 7 reported. The man suffered around 100 stings while his dog, Daisy, suffered several hundred. Firefighters attempted to save the dog, giving her antihistamines and oxygen before taking her to the hospital,, but she eventually succumbed to the injuries. The incident report stated that a skunk had sprayed the dog and the 43-year-old owner was giving her a bath. The man was treated for his injuries and released.
In other news regarding domestic animals, dogs in Antelope Valley have been showing up with mysterious burns, believed to be chemical burns. Three pit bulls were found together in recent weeks, two of which had to be euthanized. One was saved and is going through treatment, according to KTLA 5 News.
Several dogs have been treated for similar injuries. Beth Newhill of Doggy Smiles Rescue described the injuries to KTLA. Newhill said it is unknown whether the burns are being inflicted intentionally or not. So far one golden retriever and six pit bulls have been found with similar burns in the area.
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has approved a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the burned dogs case.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana
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