Bees built nest in starving dog

East Pennsboro Police Chief Dennis McMaster has seen a lot of horrible things in his long career as a police officer.

But he says nothing was more shocking than seeing bees flying in and out of an open tumour in the side of a dog named Merrick.

McMaster says the insects had built a nest in the 9-year-old yellow Labrador retriever.

Merrick was so emaciated, his ribs were protruding from his hide, police said. A large tumor on the dog's right side was open and infested. Merrick was unable to walk and laboured to breathe.

On Friday, police filed animal cruelty charges against Merrick's owner, John L. Shafer, 31, of the first block of State Road in Silver Spring Twp. The count carries a possible penalty of up to two years in jail and a fine.