Beekeeper Seeks Damages for Loss of Swarm

June 28, 2001 9:09 am EST

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A Swedish beekeeper has taken his neighbor to court for killing his swarm of bees, demanding that he pay compensation, Sweden's TT news agency reported on Thursday.

The swarm left their beehive in the rural village of Vittaryd in southern Sweden and flew into the neighbor's garden.

The neighbor, fearful of being stung, doused the unwanted guests with a garden hose. The shock of the cold water killed the bees, TT said, quoting a local radio news report.

The incensed beekeeper has accused his neighbor of "arbitrary conduct" and demanded 10,000 crowns ($933) in compensation.

[While understanding the fear of being stung, doesn't the neighbor know of the benefits of having bees visit a garden?]

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2001