CEBU CITY – The family of the 16-year-old girl who sustained bites and scratches all over her body after she was attacked by a Rottweiler in Oslob town, south Cebu appealed for help to treat the teenager.
“We want an assurance that they (dog owners) will shoulder the expenses for the treatment of my sister,” said John Michael, the elder brother of Jeny Rose Gomilao who was bitten by the large breed dog last Tuesday, June 8.
In a radio interview on Saturday, John Michael said they received P4,000 from the dog owner but the amount is not enough to cover the expenses.
Gomilao’s family is planning to file charges for reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries and a violation of Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 against the dog owner if he fails to fulfill his promise to pay all the medical bills to cover the treatment.
Jeny Rose was picking up seashells in knee-deep seawater when she was chased by the dog which is owned by her neighbor.
Some residents and guests of a nearby resort urged the girl to run away from the dog.
While Gomilao tried to escape, a man arrived to help the girl.
The dog ran for a few seconds but later returned to attack the girl again.
Videos of the incident circulated on social media.
Two months ago, Gomilao was also bitten by a dog owned by another neighbor.
“They (physicians) did not give her anti-rabies shots because she already received one after she was bitten by a dog two months ago,” John Michael said.
The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 requires pet owners to have their dog regularly vaccinated against rabies once a year starting three months of age and maintain a registration card which shall contain all vaccinations conducted on their dog for accurate record purposes.
Dog owners also need to control their dogs and not allow them to roam the streets or any public place without a leash.
Within 24 hours, owners need to immediately report any dog biting (including scratching) incident to the concerned officials for investigation or for any appropriate action and place the dog under observation by a government or private veterinarian.
Owners who fail or refuse to have their dog registered and immunized against rabies will have to pay a fine of P2,000.
Those who refuse to have their dog put under observation and do not shoulder the medical expenses of the person bitten by their dog shall be meted a fine of P25,000.