Rabid dog that bit 21 villagers in Cebu dies

CEBU CITY—A rabid stray dog which had bitten villagers in Barangay Casuntingan, Mandaue City died at dawn today.

Casuntingan Barangay Captain Oscar del Castillo said they were able to capture the stray dog at around 1 a.m. on Sunday in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City, around 2 kilometers away from Casuntingan.

“We used (a) batuta (policeman’s stick) as we chased him. Even after the dog was placed inside the sack, he was still restless,” he told Cebu Daily News.

They were surprised when the stray dog did not move. When they checked, the canine was already dead.

Del Castillo said the number of victims had already reached 21. Of the 21, seven were brought to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and were given anti-rabies vaccines.

READ: Rabid dog attacks 18 villagers in Mandaue

“Others are scheduled for their anti-rabies (vaccines) tomorrow since the health center is open only on week days,” Del Castillo said.

Del Castillo suspected that he, too, was bitten by the dog because of the marks on his right leg.

Shortly before they caught the dog, Del Castillo narrated that the dog tried to attack him by leaping at him but he was able to kick it away as they both fell down. It might be during that time that he was scratched or might have been bitten by the dog.

When Cebu Daily News visited Del Castillo’s home, the stray dog was being preserved in ice.

As per advice of the city veterinary office, the canine’s dog’s head was cut off, preserved and would be subjected to laboratory tests, he said. JE/rga