Hero Dog To Get Facial Surgery In California
Kabang, a dog from the Philippines who saved the lives of two children, has arrived in the United States to undergo major facial surgery.
After a flight of several hours from Manila, Kabang arrived in Davis, California on Wednesday, accompanied by her veterinarian Dr. Anton Mari Lim. Kabang will be treated at the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for maxillofacial reconstructive surgery.
Karen Kenngott, US coordinator of the Animal Welfare Coalition, and Mike Foley of the Global Animal Transport helped raise funds to pay for Kabang’s surgery, which is said to cost $20,000.
Kabang was lauded as a hero after she jumped in front of a motorcycle to save two girls — cousins Dina Bunggal, 11, and Princess Diansing, 3 — from being hit last December in Zamboanga, a city located in Mindanao, Philippines. The girls stumbled and got some bruises, but were otherwise unharmed. The driver of the motorcycle was also unharmed.
Kabang, however, was not as lucky. Her head landed on the motorcycle’s front wheel, and her upper snout got caught and was ripped off.
Dina Buggal’s father Rudy said he was filled with awe and horror when he saw his dog save his daughter and niece. He said they couldn’t do anything to save her snout and “just pulled her off the wheel.” A local vet asked Bunggal and his wife if they would be willing to euthanize Kabang, but they refused.
“It does not matter if she’s ugly now. What is important to us is she saved our children and we cannot thank her enough for that,” Bunggal said.
Despite her injury, Kabang was back up on her feet and had gotten pregnant just months later. However, Kenngott said Kabang was at risk of infection the more time went by.
“Fungal infections can be especially difficult to eradicate and any infection in the bone can be a lengthy process to treat at best. Her chances are better the sooner she can get those wounds closed,” Kenngott said.
We wish Kabang a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
