QC Vet warns pet owners: Shoulder medical expenses of bite victims or pay 25k fine

Be responsible, the Quezon City Veterinary Office advised pet owners on Monday.

This reminder comes after a dog bit off the nose of a 2-year-old girl in Barangay Commonwealth on Friday morning.

Dr. Esmeralda Encarnado, officer in charge of the City Pound Division, warns pet owners that they may face a hefty fine should they neglect shouldering expenses of bite victims.

Under Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, a pet owner may be meted with a fine of P25,000 if they fail to shoulder the medical expenses of a person bitten by their pet.

“Kung ma-identify natin yung may-ari pwede tayong mag-demanda,” Encarnado said.

In the case of the 2-year-old girl in Barangay Commonwealth, authorities have yet to determine the identity of the owner of the dog that bit her.

The girl’s family received news that the dog has already been killed by neighbors but they can’t confirm it.

Mary Ann Puno, the girl’s mother, is appealing to the owner of the dog that bit her daughter to help in their expenses.

“Kung sino man po kayo, magpakita kayo. Makonsensya po kayo sa nangyari sa anak ko,” she said.

Over the weekend, doctors stitched up what was left of the girl’s nose.

“Tanggal po yung buong ilong niya. Balat na lang po sa gilid ng ilong niya ang natira. Pinilit na lang po isara para matakpan yung butas,” Puno said.

Doctors explained to the family that the toddler is too young to undergo plastic surgery on her nose as her face dimensions will change as she grows up.

As early as now, the family is worried that the girl will be subjected to bullying when she goes to school.

“Baka i-bully. Baka asarin na walang ilong,” Puno said.

The family is appealing for help in treating the toddler's injury.

“Kung sino po yung willing tumulong sa amin, sana po maayos po yung ilong ng anak ko. Saka sa gamot po,” Puno said.

GMA Kapuso Foundation will be helping the little girl. — BAP, GMA News