Dog bites Filipina actress Alma Concepcion in the face

Manila: Filipina actress Alma Concepcion recently shared her heartbreak after she and her son Cobie were bitten by their pet dog, Sniper. 

The incident has led her to make significant changes in how they interact with their beloved pet.

In a Facebook post, Concepcion uploaded a video from a clinic while receiving an anti-rabies shot. 

A visible gash could be seen on her left cheek. She also shared a clip featuring Sniper, a mixed-breed dog with a black coat and floppy ears.

“Yesterday morning, I was cuddling my dog when he suddenly bit me. This was my first time being bitten, though Sniper had previously bitten my son Cobie when he accidentally leaned on him. 

“I was just hugging him and resting my head on his shoulder when it happened. Sniper has been with me since he was four months old, and now he’s four years old,” she wrote.

The actress starred in movies such as Goodbye America, Sa Ngalan ng Pag-Ibig, Lolong, Harangan, The Spider’s Lair, Tag-Init.

The actress reflected on the incident, calling it a learning experience for her household despite Sniper’s generally good behaviour.

“We’ve decided that we won’t cuddle him anymore. We can still pet him and show affection, but no more hugging. It makes me sad, but it’s necessary. Overall, he is a kind dog — he’s potty-trained, and he looks very sorry for what happened. He doesn’t even jump on my bed anymore,” she said.

Concepcion added that she used to let Sniper sleep in her bed but has decided to stop, fearing another accidental bite if she moves in her sleep. 

She reassured followers that Sniper is fully vaccinated.

The actress took the opportunity to inform her followers about rabies vaccination, especially those offered for free by the government.

“Getting a rabies vaccination after a bite is NOT an emergency. As long as you receive your shots as soon as possible, you’re fine. The belief that you must get vaccinated within 24 hours is NOT TRUE. I was bitten at 2:24 AM on Sunday and got my shots at 9 AM on Monday. So don’t panic — you can get vaccinated the next day or even up to two days later, as long as it’s before the 10th day,” she explained.

She also reminded the public that government clinics offer free rabies shots. 

“Just search online for the vaccination centers in your area. In Quezon City, each district has one. My son and I got ours for FREE! Hayyyyy Sniper talaga… I hope this information helps!” she concluded.

In the comments section, concerned netizens asked whether Concepcion had taken Sniper to a veterinarian to check for possible discomfort or health issues, as “dogs don’t normally bite without reason.”

The incident has sparked discussions about pet behaviour, responsible pet ownership, and the importance of vaccinations in preventing rabies-related complications.

As of May 2024, there were 169 confirmed rabies cases in the Philippines, which is a 13% increase from the same period in 2023. Of those cases, 160 people died, resulting in a case fatality rate of 94.67 per cent.

The majority of cases were from dog bites (92 per cent).

The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to get their pets vaccinated and to seek vaccination if they are bitten.