Kaban the snoutless dog heads home a hero

After eight months of treatment and surgery by top veterinary specialists, a world-famous, snoutless dog is finally headed home.

Kabang has become a canine wonder among fans in her home country of the Philippines and abroad after she leaped in front of a motorcycle in 2011, intercepting its path as it headed directly for two girls, according to Reuters.

Dina Bunggal, who was nine years old at the time, and her cousin Princess Diansing, who was three, were crossing the street when Kabang reportedly jumped before the vehicle to save them from being hit.

The girls' families believed Kabang risked her own life to save them because she knew they were in danger.

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But Kabang lost her snout when the motorcycle hit her, leaving her with a protruding lower jaw that needed elaborate facial reconstruction. Local authorities encouraged Kabang's owners to euthanize her, according to reports, but they didn't, and before long support grew, leading to a fundraising campaign that collected more than $20,000 to pay her veterinarian bills, according to the Sacramento Bee.

She received extensive treatment at the University of California, according to the story. But her troubles didn't end with the crash. Vets also diagnosed the dog with heartworm and a large tumour, which led to several long months of treatment. She has survived it all, but doctors weren't able to reconstruct her snout.

Kabang might not win the beauty award at any dog shows, but locals in Zamboanga City were ready to show her off when she returned on Sunday. They held a small parade to honour her as a hero, according to the BBC.

And now Kabang will have an official title to recognize her status as a symbol of animal welfare. The PhilStar reports the mayor of Zamboanga has named her the local ambassador of "dogwill."

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