Dog owner faces charges after pet bites teenager

CHARGES were filed in court against a dog owner whose pet reportedly bit a 13-year-old boy in barangay Lipata, Minglanilla town, Cebu.

Thelma Talledo is facing trial for violating Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.

Bail was recommended at P6,000.

“The refusal of the dog owner to bear the medical expenses resulting from the injurious act of his dog is a criminal transgression,” saidAsst. City Prosecutor Ferdinand Collantes last week.

In his affidavit, the boy said he was sent by hismother to buy vegetables in a nearby store on Nov. 24, 2011. On his way home, Talledo’s dog bit his left leg.

The boy ran away and shouted for help.   Talledo then arrived and applied first aid on his wounds and accompanied him home.

The boy’s mother said Talledo promised to pay for her son’s  medical expenses which reached P2,000.

“Demands were made to the dog owner to refund the medical expenses but Talledo refused to pay,” said the mother.

Talledo didn’t file any  counter-affidavit to refute the allegations.

Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba said  a pet owner, whose dog bites another person is obligations to the victim.

If found guilty on the criminal offense, she said he pet owner can be jailed for a maximum of six years./Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol