Buboy, the aspin (mixed-breed dog) who went viral last month for his Hachiko-like loyalty has followed his hooman to the afterlife after he was hit by a vehicle yesterday.
Non-government organization Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) said on Facebook yesterday that the 4-year-old dog was run over by a vehicle yesterday morning.
“Volunteer caregivers, albeit a holiday, rushed over to the campus to check on Buboy and found him already lifeless,” the post reads.
Buboy went viral last month after photos of him waiting by the door of a faculty room at the Mabalacat City College in Pampanga province were posted online. The faculty room was where the pup would regularly meet teacher Carmelito Marcelo who he formed a close bond with.
The white and brown spotted dog was taken to see Marcelo at his wake on May 21 and was photographed sitting by the coffin. Buboy reportedly didn’t want to leave the teacher’s side.
A teacher from the school told AKF that Buboy was following a guard who had just finished his shift when he was run over by a car while crossing the highway.
AKF mourned Buboy’s untimely death and said: “This mind-numbing incident, a tragic end to Buboy’s story, mirrors how we neglect the loyal and loving askals (mixed-breed dogs) — exposing them to dangers even when we have the chance to take care of them. They deserve better — loving families and secured homes.
AKF also reminded motorists to slow down for animals crossing roads. “AKF would like to remind and urge every motorist to slow down, drive safely, and whenever possible — hit the #BrakeForAnimals. Be a responsible motorist.”
The organization added that the school is now conducting an investigation into the incident. “Run free #Buboy. Gone too soon. Every animal-loving Filipino mourns today,” it said.
READ: Filipino Hachiko: Loyal dog sits by coffin of deceased caretaker
Buboy was a campus dog that freely roamed the area. Whenever Marcelo had a class to teach, the dog would go with him.
“Wherever he (Marcelo) would go, Buboy would follow,” student Maria Kristina Paola Demafelix told Coconuts Manila last month in Filipino. “Even when Sir Marcelo would head home, Buboy would escort him to the [school] gate,”
AKF’s Facebook post has reached over 14,000 reactions, 3,100 comments, and 7,700 shares as of this article’s posting. Animal lovers mourned Buboy’s death.
Sahlie Sabanpan Garabiles said it was “so heartbreaking.”
Hervie Cruz said Buboy deserves a monument, just the Japanese Akita dog Hachiko.
“A monument for [B]uboy could be a great opportunity not to forget their story and to be an eye opener to respect and cherrish (sic) not only dogs but all kinds of animals.”
Gidgetta Golden said it is just right to investigate Buboy’s case because a lot of people were affected by what happened. “A lot of us love [B]uboy,” She said.
Juan Santos said, “Rest in peace [B]uboy”
Nestor Buenvenida said, “A man’s best friend. [E]verybody loves [B]uboy.”
