Kabang’s master seeks help to keep hero dog’s life comfortable in Zamboanga City

Dr. Anton Lim is interviewed by the media as he holds Kabang, a two-year-old injured mixed breed, upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport early Saturday from San Francisco, California. AP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – It will be a bittersweet homecoming for Kabang, the female dog that lost its upper snout while saving two girls from being hit by a motorcycle.

The dog, which was brought to the United States for medical treatment of its open facial wounds eight months ago, will arrive here at 5:30 p.m. Sunday via a commercial plane.

“(I still have to) check if it’s OK for her to walk to the arrival area. If it’s OK, I will put Kabang on a leash then bring her for a brief walk to the arrival area,” Dr. Anton Lim, the dog’s veterinarian, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer through a text message.

Owners Rodolfo “Rudy” Bunggal, his estranged wife Christina and their daughter, 12-year old Dina, are expected to be at the airport to welcome Kabang.

But Rudy said it would be hard for him to support Kabang now that the dog has experienced a “rich lifestyle” while being treated in the US.

“I hope there are other people with kind heart who will donate dog food,” he said.

Christina, who has since left Rudy for alleged physical abuse, said she would still visit Kabang if the dog was placed under the custody of her husband.

Rudy said he was very grateful for those who helped Kabang get medical treatment. He also admitted that many have expressed their intention to adopt the dog.

“But I said no. A lady from the United States even called me expressing her interest to adopt Kabang. I told them Kabang will stay with us and I entrusted everything to Dr. Lim for the dog’s care and medication. Lim has helped us a lot,” he said.

Lim told the Inquirer that they were considering the living conditions of the Bunggals.

“We are looking at ways on how best to help them so that they can take better care of Kabang or make it easier for them to take care of her,” he said.

Lim said they were conferring with the Bunggals about Kabang’s welfare.

Dr. Mario Arriola, the city veterinarian, said Kabang would meet her owners upon arrival at the airport, but “she will stay for a while with Lim.”

A motorcade, which is part of the city government-initiated Hero’s Welcome, will be held Monday morning.

Arriola said after the motorcade, Kabang would have a “meat and grit” event with other pet owners at the Parque de Santa Maria (Santa Maria Park) here.