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© Don Mason/CorbisThreat: Ms Bammes said the bees have built large nests on her home and an exterminator has already killed 6,000 to 8,000 of the insects
Aggressive swarms of bees tormenting a Southern California neighbourhood have killed a family dog.

Kim Bammes' chocolate Labrador mix, Reggie, died after being stung so many times in the yard of her Wildomar home the veterinarian lost count.

Residents in the southwest Riverside County community say they can hear bees buzzing during certain times of day, and are now timing their comings and goings to the insects' schedule.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says Bammes tried but failed to get help from the county or city, and that Wildomar's code enforcement officer, Keith Ross, told her the city could not afford to exterminate the insects.

Deputy Director Keith Jones said the job would cost about $300.

County officials say there's little they can do because the hive is on a neighbour's private property.

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© MySpace.comTragic: Kim Bammes' chocolate Labrador mix, Reggie, died after being stung so many times the veterinarian lost count
However, assistant city manager Gary Nordquist told MailOnline if the bees are deemed a public health threat, officials will take action.

Mr Nordquist explained a hive of bees nested in a treetop at a residence neighbouring Ms Bamme, and when it was knocked to the ground the insects swarmed over the fence and into her yard, attacking her two dogs.

The second dog survived the attack and multiple bee stings.

The bees have since built large nests on Ms Bammes' home and an exterminator has already killed 6,000 to 8,000 bees.

But the exterminator warns the insects will return if the queen of the main hive isn't eliminated. City officials could not confirm at press time what type of bees had attacked.

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© MySpace.comGrieving: The Bammes family lost dog Reggee after a hive fell from a tree top in the next door neighbour's yard and swarmed over the fence, attacking him
Mr Nordquist said the owner of the home where the hive was formed could face $100 citation if it is not removed.

Ms Bammes said she does not want to sue her neighbour, but would like some money to assist in paying the $2,000 in veterinary bills.

She is most concerned, however, that the city will not intervene.

'Let's (not) wait until someone dies,' she said