SHAFTER, Calif. -- A family dog suffered about 50 stings Thursday as a swarm of apparent honey bees went on the attack.

The dog was in a kennel in his yard when some bees from a nearby hive went after him. The owner, David Salinas, tried to open the kennel to let his dog get free of the bees, but he was stung, as well.

Kern County firefighters and agriculture workers went to the home in the area of West Tulare and Poplar avenues and killed the bees. Officials said the bees looked to be honey bees, but that hasn't been confirmed.

Salinas was only stung once on the head, and he said the rest of his family were unharmed. The dog should recover, too, Salinas said.

It's unknown what sent the bees on the attack.