CANCER SURVIVOR Kabang is shown in this file photo taken in Makati City with Dr. Edgardo Unson. EDWIN BACASMAS
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Kabang, the female aspin (native dog) who saved the nieces of her owner from being hit by a motorcycle, is expected to come home from the United States before school opens this year.
This time, however, she will have a new master.
“Kabang may no longer go back to her original owner or master. She is coming home to us,” veterinarian Anton Maria Lim said.
Kabang is owned by Rodolfo Bunggal. The dog was sent to the US for medical treatment after the motorcycle accident ripped off her upper snout, leaving her face severely disfigured.
Lim explained that before sending off Kabang to UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in the US, Bunggal agreed to give up the dog for good.
“We had a legal and official agreement. Bunggal handed over to us the dog, surrendering his ownership to us,” Lim said.
“He waived his rights so that Kabang can be treated immediately,” he said.
Bunggal failed to travel with Kabang to the US as he did not have the necessary documents to apply for a US tourist visa.
“I don’t even know where to get my birth certificate,” he told the INQUIRER.
Bunggal, however, said he was happy to know that Kabang is doing well after the surgery.
For Bunggal, losing Kabang is for the dog’s welfare.
“Taking care of her is quite demanding. I don’t have the means to support her medical needs. I could not even support my own family well,” he said.
He added that Lim could very well take care of Kabang “because they can feed her.”
“They can provide her vitamins and other medicines,” he said.
Bunggal’s wife, Christina, said although she feels bad about losing Kabang, she agreed that the dog is better off with Lim.
She said if Kabang stays with them when she comes back, “she has to live again here, sleeping on cold pavements, rain or shine.”
“The thought that she is okay already consoles me,” Christina said.
Lim said the Bunggals can visit Kabang.
“We can talk about visitation rights. We are not depriving them Kabang. We know that they took care of Kabang and they love the dog,” Lim said.
Kabang is expected to come home either late May or early June. She arrived in US on Oct. 9 last year.