Kabang, Hero Dog From Philippines, Flies To U.S. For Surgeries

Kabang, the hero dog from the Philippines, has arrived earlier this week in the United States, where she will be undergoing facial reconstructive surgeries.

Kabang, Philippines' hero dog (Photo: Care For Kabang)

The female Aspin dog lost half of her snout after she was hit by a motorcycle while saving the lives of two girls in Zamboanga City last December.

Dina Bunggal, 9, and cousin Princess Diansing, 3, were about to cross a busy street and failed to notice a motorcycle heading straight towards them. Kabang, the family dog, was well aware of the impending harm about to befall the children and came to their rescue, an eyewitness said. The witness saw the dog throw herself onto the motorcycle. The crash took off Kabang's upper snout.

Veterinary specialists at the University of California (UC), Davis have examined the hero dog on Thursday and determined that the canine will be needing at least two surgeries for the next few weeks.

"The first likely would focus on dental work," UC Davis said in a press release. "The second would attempt to close the gaping wound on the dog’s face, protecting her from infection and improving her quality of life."

Kabang's trip to the U.S. was made possible by donations from all over the world. Through an online fundraising campaign, Team Kabang, spearheaded by American Nurse Karen Kenngott, has raised the $20,000 needed for the dog's surgeries.