Skip to main content

Pitbull Saves Family from Cobra, Killed in Action


Take a good look. Doesn't he seem like the vicious pitbull we have been warned about? Temperamental and treacherous? He'll attack family members, even children. Well, actually, he was far from it. I said that in the past tense because Chief is no longer with us on this Earth. Two human beings are alive today because Chief gave his life for them. How many people do you know who are willing to make that last full measure of devotion? He saved an 87-year-old Liberata la Victoria and her granddaughter Maria Victoria Fronteras from a cobra that slithered through an opening in the family’s kitchen. The confrontation left two dead, but let two others live out their lives. This was in Cagayan de Oro City (Philippines) in February, 2007. Chief's story is one that hardcore anti-pitbull people would have trouble understanding and accepting. But, here it is whether they like it or not. Those who are plain ignorant about the breed might free themselves from this prison by giving Chief the credit that he so rightfully deserves. Pitbulls are neither traitors nor salivating, blood-thirsty killers of humans. Chief's courageous story is beautifully recounted here by Herbie Gomez at the Cagayan de Oro Journal:

Friday, February 16, 2007 Dog saves family from cobra, is killed... 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.

A hero's death: Good night, sweet prince...




Comments

siyerwin said…
This is amazing. Thanks for sharing this. I had to copy it and put it in my blog. This one made me cry right in our office. :)

Sherwin
http://mefindhome.blogspot.com
Ted Teodoro said…
Congrats on your blog. I've seen it before and added a link to it. Some dog, he was...Hail ot the Chief! May he never be forgotten.
siyerwin said…
thanks so much for the link. I linked back. See you around.
Gina said…
L O Y A L T Y !
Good boy Chief, Good Boy. R.I.P.
manuel said…
rest in peace old boy
mike said…
Wow! Rip puppys.
Anonymous said…
R.I.P Chief your a hero ^_^
Anonymous said…
A true example of how pitbulls really are!
Anonymous said…
what a touching story...this is very inspirational.....R.I.P CHIEF"
Anonymous said…
Hi im a 12 yrd grl i feel bad im srry for ur lost i would lil to say i hate snakes and know how u feel
Ted Teodoro said…
Anon (12-yr old),

Thank you for commenting. Snakes are not necessarily bad animals. It was unfortunate that Chief met up with the snake, and the snake unfortunately found its way into the home of humans. As an animal lover, I do not fault the snake for doing what it naturally does, that is to look for food or shelter and defend itself when confronted. Snakes do good things like control the rodent population. I wish the incident never happened.
Anonymous said…
What an amazing dog R.I.P Chief! :(
sheila Hill said…
For those who support B.S.L. recognize your own demons it's the murder of innocent dogs that is your motivation, not the feeling that you have saved anyone! AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU ARE MURDERS NOT!!!!.........HEROS
AshleyD said…
I am the proud owner of a red nose brindle pit bull terrier. Aquila. She is the best dog I have ever had. I cried reading this story, but I know in my heart, Aquila would have done the same for my family. Chief's smile will forever leave an image in my heart. Each time I see my beautiful pit bull smile when I come home I will remember what this amazing dog did for his family. All dogs can be dangerous, it just depends on their owner and how they are treated, raised..God bless pit bulls. One of the most loyal breeds I have ever owned. :)
Anonymous said…
Chief really was a man's best friend. R.I.P Chief, Always remembered.
Unknown said…
R.I.P Chief... I am a proud owner of two red nose abpt's, its unfortunate that chief lost his life, its a beautiful story and shows how wonderful and loyal this breed is, long live the pit bull
Anonymous said…
This is such a beautiful and amazing story, it really touched my heart <3 may Chief forever R.I.P <3
Unknown said…
i also have a pitbull and i know that they are really great! this made me cry! all my respect to you Chief!
Unknown said…
I just happened to see this on my FB feed. My heart hurts heavily for the family, but at the same time cheered for Chief after reading what he did. It is no surprise that Chief did what he did and didn't think twice about giving up his life to save his masters. I own two pit bulls and they are so loyal and will do anything to make my entire family happy with laughter. The four year old male, Mojo, is the chillest of the two. While the two year old, Lola, is the high energy type. They both think they are lap dogs and always want to be around us.

They get a bad rap due to the media always wanting to report on dog attacks that are pit bull related. Of course, the media could care less if a GSD, Rottie, or Dobermans do the same thing. It is all about stigmatizing the pit bulls.

RIP Chief.
Unknown said…
Rip. I just lost my red nose pitbull because someone jumped into my yard and tried to open my back door and he attacked him to protect my family and got shot to death. Pitbulls are the most loyal dogs.

Popular posts from this blog

Philippines. Reporting Animal Cruelty. Emergency Numbers. RA 8485.

Because I belong to an group of animal welfare advocates in the Philippines, I can read the numerous discussions between group members and people who, seems to me, just signed up to make an urgent plea for help. There were two this week who begged for assistance concerning two dogs who were tied up under rain and sun with no food nor water. One was described to be on the verge of a heat stroke. The images that filled my mind disturbed me immensely, but I am also encouraged at the same time. There is a growing number of animal welfare advocates in the Philippines and ordinary citizens are beginning to reject animal cruelty, willing to take personal action against it. Just from this website, I can see from the visitor data that many are seeking information on how to report animal cruelty in the Philippines. You can find my previous post on the subject HERE . Keep in mind that your complaint has legal standing via the Philippine Animal Welfare Act which is also known as the RA 8485 .

Three Members of the Philippine Shooting Team and the Killing of Protected Philippine Wildlife

When a member of the animal or plant kingdom goes extinct, there will be no second chances. Evolution will simply not repeat itself. There are reportedly eighty bird species that are unique to the Philippines and many of them have already made it to the endangered list. And we, to a great extent, have indiscrimate hunting to thank for it. In spite of two national laws protecting Philippine animals, the carnage continues unabated. The killings could occur as arbitrarily as guys getting together for macho time, or as a result of a well-planned hunting trip involving speed boats, bird callers, and camouflaged outfits. Either way, the outcome is the same. Philippine wildlife, our natural treasures, inches closer to a state of irreparable vacancy. Not too long ago, we learned about the Bacolod Air Rifle Club (BARC) whose unbridled killing of Philippine birds and ducks became the subject of an online petition calling for immediate government intervention. My post on that most disturbing c

Antipolo. Philippines. Dog Fighting. Dan Sy Tan Arraigned.

It looks like the noose is getting tighter around the neck of Dan Sy Tan , the alleged but obviously guilty ring leader of a vicious dogfighting ring in the town of Antipolo, Rizal in the Philippines. He was finally arraigned on June 5, 2008 for his crimes, illegal gambling and violating the Philippine Animal Welfare Act of 1998 . Caught redhanded by undercover cops posing as spectators, Dan Tan and his business associates face overwhelming evidence. Included in the ring are three Thai nationals who fled the country last year. They are on videotape. There are gate receipts, eye witnesses, veterinary statements, all point to their guilt. These guys made money from the blood of fighting dogs. What a way to make a living! It's been a full year since the night of the raid, but we'll take every bit of victory we can get. I say " We " because I am a member of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) who worked with the police to capture these poor excuses for human be