Friday, February 16, 2007

Dog saves family from cobra, is killed

By HERBIE GOMEZ

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Feb 16) – A pit bull terrier proved beyond doubt that a dog can become a man’s best friend when it saved and gave its life for its master’s wife and her grandmother in Barangay Lapasan here.

The dog named “Chief,” saved 87-year-old Liberata la Victoria and her granddaughter Maria Victoria Fronteras from a cobra that snaked through an opening in the family’s kitchen shortly around 8 a.m. Monday.

On two occasions, the snake was about to attack the women when the dog dashed from a corner and used itself as a shield.

Marlone Fronteras, an employee of Nestle Philippines who owned the terrier, said Chief seized the venomous snake in the neck with its teeth and repeatedly slammed it on the floor until it died.

The dog was bitten too by the cobra; it died a few minutes later after giving its master a farewell gaze, according to the dog owner’s friends Mare Sabelita and Derf Ian dela Rama.

An organization of pit bull terrier owners here, Royale Pit Bull Club-Ancient Fraternal Order of the Pit Bulls Inc., honored Chief and gave it the moniker “grandfather” of all pit bulls in the community.

Marlone told the Cagayan de Oro journal, that he, his family and members of the pit bull owners’ group gave the dog a “hero’s burial” the same day.

“We just waited for the children to arrive from school because they loved Chief so much,” said Marlone.

Sabelita said Fronteras’s wife Maria Victoria was teary eyed when she narrated the dog’s “heroism” to friends.

“The snake was in front of us., maneuvering a deadly attack,” Sabelita quoted Maria Victoria as saying. “I screamed out loud to ask for help.”

Hearing this, the four-year old pit bull terrier dashed from its sleeping area to fight off the deadly snake, said Sabelita quoting Maria Victoria.

The cobra fought back and bit Chief at the lower left portion of the jaw. The dog then repeatedly slammed the cobra after it succeeded in immobilizing the snake with its sharp teeth, she said.

Dela Rama said la Victoria was watching television when she panicked and alerted her granddaughter. The old lady said the cobra was about to attack her and the dog came to her rescue.

Maria Victoria said she saw the cobra expand its neck as soon as she turned the lights on. She said the cobra looked like it was spitting as its inched closer, about a meter away, toward her.

De la Rama said the terrier, “out of nowhere,” jumped on the cobra , bit it the neck, and then shook it till it died.

Moments later, the dog slouched flat and fainted, spreading its arms and feet on the floor, after killing the killer snake.

De la Rama said the dog went wobbly and lost control of its organs some 30 minutes after being bitten by the cobra; it started to urinate and defecate uncontrollably as it grasped for air and panted heavily.

The Fronterases sought the help of veterinarian but they were reportedly told that it was too late because the snake bite was near the dog’s brain and the venom had already spread.

Sabilita said Marlone rushed home when his wife called him up to tell him of what had happened and the dog’s master was stunned.

The Fronteras children, who treated Chief like a member of the family and who called the dog “Kuya Chief,” were deeply affected, according to Sabelita.

The last thing Chief did was waggle its tail and gaze at Marlone who had just come from work, said Sabelita.

“Chief gave his two deep breaths and died. (It) was fighting and saving (its) last ounces of breath to see a glimpse of (its) master for the last two seconds of (its) life,” added dela Rama.

Sabelita said he hoped people would change how they look at pit bull terriers, a breed strongly discouraged in many countries and banned because of their “cruel looks.”

We never get the change to know them more,” said Sabelita.


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11 comments:

Anonymous said...

jusice for jocel

ms jocel is the niece of jojo rosas, a businessman in cagayan de oro residing at balulang where he has alukinum business.

pls help investigate get justice

jojo rosas raped his niece jocel

pls follow up nbi cag d oro complaint not moving

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you're upset about this thing, but don't ruin this poor dog's article with your spam. God bless Chief and may he be in heaven where he deserves to be.

Anonymous said...

From Canada, God Bless Cheif....no greater love exists than what he did for his family, sacrifice his own life...no greater bravery exist...brought tears of joy...this animals actions have been appreciated around the world...now, what can you do to make our planet a better place.
Thanks Cheif
Dale Leslie
Kingston, Ontario

Anonymous said...

I was touch and close to tears while reading this. Condolence to Chief. I have a dog too and we also love her and treat her like a member of the family...

Dustin F. said...

That's an awesome story and a HUGE testament as to why pits and other bully breeds aren't evil. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

My daughter Christine sent me the link to your blog about pit bull "Chief" with the comment that pit bulls aren't so bad after all. Last week she emailed an article listing places around the world where raising of pit bulls are banned or controlled. Reading your blog about the heroism of "Chief" actually left me teary-eyed. Of course dogs don't go to heaven, but Chief's memory and heroic deed will be told and retold by the Fronteras family, that's certain.

Pamela said...

If dogs don't go to heaven, I don't want to go, either. Chief was doing what dogs know best - protecting their people. They also need to be protected from those who do not understand the unconditional love that resides in the heart of every dog. If a dog is treated with respect, he will return that respect a hundred times over. Spread the story and protect all the pit bulls.

Raju Mandhyan said...

Nice story. I like Pit Bulls. May I use this story? Can it be further verified?

Thank you!
Raju Mandhyan

yue said...

Nice story. I also have my pet dog, his name is kobe but he does not know how to swim :)) though it is there instinct.

Cagayan de Oro Rafting

Joybumz said...

Oh, I feel so sorry for what happened to CHief. Why do some stories have to end dramatically? I love dogs and I hate to see people hurt dogs because they can be our bestfriends too. May he rest in peace now.

Cagayan de Oro

Anonymous said...

I am from Sabah. I own an Amstaff...cousin to the Pitbull breed. I am angry at my own Government for wanting to ban Pitbull breed...after reading Chief's heroic story...i was just in tears and immediately look for my dog. He was playing with an empty bottle and virtually stopped when i called him and pet him while in tears. He stopped and knew that i was sad or something...after that, he resumed his noisy play. Bull Terrier breeds deserve some justice against bad reputation man! Love to Chief and his family...RIP CHIEFQ