Dog in Baguio City passes away after being stressed by firecracker noise

A dog in Baguio City died after suffering severe stress believed to have been triggered by firecracker noise.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, the dog named Shaningning experienced difficulty breathing and had to be placed under close monitoring after her oxygen levels dropped due to extreme stress.

Her fur mom, Xris Kilongan, said the incident happened on the night of December 22, when firecrackers were suddenly set off outside their home.

Because of the loud noise, Shaningning reportedly went into shock, with her gums and tongue turning bluish.

Xris said she was worried because Shaningning already had underlying health conditions, having been diagnosed in 2021 with heart enlargement and tracheal collapse.

"In-oxygen siya buong madaling araw, tapos inantay namin 'yung mag-o-open ng vet," she said.

Xris said firecrackers went off in their area despite a city ordinance banning firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in Baguio City.

Veterinarian Dr. Glenn Albert Almera explained that dogs are highly sensitive to loud sounds because of their advanced hearing ability.

"Meron talaga silang ability to hear 'yung mga low and high frequency sound for survival. They were using sound to connect with other dogs," he said.

Loud noises can cause fear, stress, and anxiety in dogs.

"Nandiyan 'yung nagiging na sobrang silang agitated, malikot. Nandiyan din 'yung pagiging sobrang malambing. Nakakakita din tayo ng mga destructive behavior o 'yung naninira ng mga gamit," Almera said.

Despite close monitoring, Shaningning eventually passed away.

Baguio City Police spokesperson PMAJ Mary Grace U. Marron reiterated that the city has a strict firecracker ban in place.

"Strict ang implementation namin ng firecracker ban. Naglabas ang ating butihing mayor ng memorandum. Ang lahat ng mga barangay officials, including Baguio City Police Office and Public Order and Safety Division will be held liable and accountable whenever meron pong nagpaputok, especially po when there is a firecracker-related injuries," Marron said.

Meanwhile, Xris called for stronger enforcement and greater sensitivity toward pet owners.

"Although may campaign ang Baguio tsaka PNP pero parang nakukulangan ako. We make it a point na secure 'yung mga pets natin na nasa area sila na hindi masyadong naririnig 'yung paputok. Maging sensitive din sana sila sa mga nararamdaman namin mga pet owners," she said. —Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News