Dog bite leads couple to jail

CEBU, Philippines - A couple was placed under arrest yesterday after they allegedly failed to pay the medical expenses of a 12-year-old child who was bitten by their dog last year.

Amon Cabaron and his wife Cris were placed under arrest by virtue of a warrant issued by Municipal Trial Court Judge Leopoldo Cañete for violation of Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies law. Cañete recommended P6,000 as bond for the couple’s temporary liberty.

The couple was arrested at their residence barangay Tuble in Moalboal town.

The complainants, Reynaldo and Socorro Caballa, were reportedly prompted to file the case against the respondents after the incident was not settled at the barangay level. The Cabaron couple allegedly failed to pay the P3,000 worth of anti-rabies injection.

The complainant’s son also happens to be a student of Cris at the Moalboal Elementary School.

In an interview, Amon said they refused to pay the P20,000 the Caballa couple allegedly demanded from them because the boy’s parents also allegedly could not present receipts of the medicines to them.

Likewise, the Minglanilla District Hospital also reportedly did not have records of a 12-year-old child surnamed Caballa being treated there. A doctor at the hospital also reportedly advised them not to pay the amount unless they can see receipts of the purchased medicines.

Amon pointed out it might have been a stray dog that bit the child because they reportedly no longer owned a dog last year when the incident happened. He said the accusations were baseless because no one witnessed the incident.

He also accused a policeman at their place as the one who allegedly swayed the couple to file the case after Cris had confronted him one time.

Amon said they are considering the possibility of filing a counter-charge against the Caballa couple. The respondents are set to post bail tomorrow. — Niña G. Sumacot and Guam Logroño of Banat News/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)