My favourite place in Spain is famous for its honey - thanks to the profusion of wild flowers such as lavender, rosemary and broom.  Walking in the mountains, we often come across signs warning us to beware of the bees - and I always put the dogs on leads and give the hives a wide berth. But I have never seen hives in Spanish towns or villages.

I was reminded of this when I read of the German Shepherd who bled to death after being stung more than 100 times by bees from a neighbour's hive.   The report said that the dog and the hives (which were not fenced off) were in a communal garden.  If true, I think this is seriously wrong. I am fully aware of the worrying decline in the bee population but I do feel that hives should not be sited in residential areas.  Bees are a serious risk to inquisitive animals and children.