Two horses died as a result of an attack by Africanized bees in Riviera on March 13.

The owner of the mares would like some kind of policy or procedure to be established during an emergency situation like this one.

“This should not have happened; there is a big break down in the system,” said Gloria Saenz Rodriguez.

Rodriguez and her husband owned the horses that were on her mother-in-law’s property on the north side of Riviera. She said her brotherin law called 911 four times that Saturday morning and did talk to someone, but no one came to help them.

Then the Kleberg County Sheriff’s Department notified the Ricardo Fire Department, which went to the scene 40 minutes later. One of the horses jumped two fences trying to get away from the bees and the other one was found three houses down the way.

Firemen sprayed the horses, but the animals succumbed to the thousand of bees that attacked them.

Rodriquez said her mother-in-law contacted Kleberg County Precinct 3 Commissioner Roy Cantu and his foreman.

They asked the foreman, who was in Kingsville, for assistance.

“We are not equipped to handle bees that are swarming,” Cantu said.

He explained that according to the health department they are not supposed to get on private property based on state laws.

“Usually, the fire department handles that type of emergency,” Cantu said. He added that he went out to the property t hat day while the firemen were in the process of spraying the horses.

“My husband and I lost our mares that were a part of our family and something needs to be in place because accidents do not happen from 9 to 5 p.m.” Rodriguez said.

She emphasized there needs to be communication between all departments and people need to know who is responsible for helping in emergency situations. A procedure or policy should have already been established for emergencies a long time ago, according to her.

“Why and how is this going to get fixed,” Rodriguez, who is teacher, said.

Cantu agreed with Rodriguez that a written policy needs to be in place.

Rodriguez and her husband buried their mares, Brandy, 13 years old and Starla, 7 years old that night.