You've Got to Bee Kidding

Urban beekeeping has become something of a fad lately, one based in the desire to help the environment and replenish a plunging bee population.

But it appears that there might be some places where keeping bees are not encouraged or appreciated.

Around 9 a.m. on Thursday, the Peabody animal control officer got a call from the service manager at an apartment complex on Crane Brook Way.

The service manager told the animal control officer that one of the residents at the complex was keeping bees and that he wanted them removed.

Apparently, when it comes to animal control, not all animals are equal when it comes to enforcement.

The animal control officer told the service manager that she does not have the authority to tell the apartment beekeeper to get rid of the bees. She also said that the animal control department does not typically handle that kind of animal.

The animal control officer suggested the service manager get in touch with an area beekeeper to assist with the removal.

The service manager, according to the Peabody police, was looking for a quicker solution to the problem and said he would have the bees exterminated.

Patch file photo