The Dog Who Lost Half Her Face Saving Two Little Girls

Two little girls were about to be hit by a motorcycle in Zamboanga City, Philippines, when their family dog, Kabang, saw the danger and ran straight toward them. Dina Bunggal and her cousin Princess Diansing had wandered into the motorcycle’s path. Before it could reach them, Kabang lunged in front of the moving bike, taking the impact herself.

The motorcycle overturned, and Kabang’s face became caught in its front wheel. Her nose and much of her upper jaw were torn away in the accident.

Both girls survived. But Kabang was left with injuries so severe that her family had no idea whether she would live.

The Family Dog Who Became a Hero

Kabang was a mixed-breed dog who had originally lived on the streets before Rudy Bunggal took her in. She became part of his family, spending her days around the house and following the children wherever they went.

The accident happened in December 2011. Afterward, Kabang was left without most of her snout, and the damage to her face made everyday activities much more difficult.

Eating and drinking required her to adjust to an entirely different way of using her mouth. The large open wound also left her vulnerable to serious infections.

Yet Kabang survived. Despite everything she had been through, she remained active, alert and interested in the people around her.

As news of her rescue spread across the Philippines, photographs of her injuries began circulating online. People were amazed by the little dog’s survival, but they were even more moved by what she had done for the two girls.

Soon, strangers on the other side of the world were asking how they could help.

People Around the World Stepped In

Kabang needed specialized veterinary treatment that wasn’t readily available in her hometown. Her family couldn’t afford the enormous cost of sending her overseas for surgery, so supporters organized a fundraising campaign called Care for Kabang.

Donations began arriving from people across the Philippines and around the world. Most had never met Kabang, but they wanted to help the dog who had saved two children.

Eventually, the campaign raised approximately $27,000 toward her treatment. Philippine Airlines assisted with travel arrangements, and in October 2012, Kabang flew to California to receive care at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Veterinarians hoped to repair the damage to her face and reduce her risk of developing infections. But when they examined Kabang, they discovered two additional health problems that needed immediate attention.

She had heartworm disease and a transmissible venereal tumor, a contagious form of cancer found in dogs. Before surgeons could operate on her face, they would have to treat both illnesses.

A Six-Week Visit Turned Into Eight Months

Kabang’s trip to California had originally been expected to last about six weeks. Instead, her medical problems kept her there for nearly eight months.

Veterinarians began treating her cancer with chemotherapy while another team worked to eliminate the heartworm infection. Specialists in several departments joined the effort, including oncology, internal medicine, dentistry and surgery. For months, Kabang received treatment while her supporters followed her progress from thousands of miles away.

By early 2013, the cancer treatment had succeeded, and her heartworm condition was under control. With those problems addressed, surgeons could finally begin repairing the injuries from the motorcycle accident.

The first procedures involved removing damaged teeth and repairing an injured eyelid. Then, on March 27, 2013, Kabang underwent her major facial surgery.

Five Hours of Surgery

The operation lasted nearly five hours. Surgeons carefully moved skin from the top and sides of Kabang’s head to cover the large open wound where her snout had once been. They also reconstructed her nasal openings, creating two permanent nostrils that would allow her to breathe more normally.

The surgeons couldn’t replace her missing upper jaw or rebuild her original snout. But they could close the wound, protect the exposed tissue and make it easier for her to live without constant risk of infection.

Kabang recovered well from the operation. By late May, additional testing confirmed that she was free of heartworms, too.

On June 3, 2013, the veterinary team at UC Davis officially released her from their care. After nearly eight months of treatment, Kabang was finally going home.

A Hero’s Welcome in the Philippines

When Kabang returned to Zamboanga, the city was ready to celebrate. Cars and motorcycles formed a motorcade through the streets as residents gathered to welcome her home. Kabang rode in the back of a pickup truck alongside Rudy Bunggal, surrounded by yellow balloons.

People stopped to take photographs, and children reached out to pet the little dog whose story had traveled around the world. At City Hall, Mayor Celso Lobregat officially recognized Kabang as the “Pride of Zamboanga.” She even received a bag of treats during the celebration.

Dina, one of the girls Kabang had saved, told reporters that the dog was far more than a family pet. She was part of their family, and Dina believed she might not have been alive without her.

Almost Ten More Years

Kabang settled back into life in the Philippines, where she continued receiving care and attention long after the international news coverage faded. When Rudy Bunggal died, veterinarian Dr. Anton Lim, who had helped with Kabang’s treatment, took responsibility for her care. By 2015, she was living with him.

She continued enjoying life for years after the accident, adapting to her unusual appearance and the changes it brought to her daily routine.

Kabang died peacefully in her sleep on May 17, 2021, at the age of 13.

She had lived almost another decade after saving the two little girls.