A Filipino dog has been taken to the US to have groundbreaking surgery after losing its snout saving two girls' lives.

Kabang, a mongrel, became a national hero after saving two young girls by running in front of a speeding motorcycle, taking the brunt of the impact herself.

In the accident, the poor pooch suffered horrific injuries, losing her snout and top jaw, but Kabang's plight attracted worldwide attention, and a nurse from New York started an internet campaign that raised 20,000 US dollars for reconstructive surgery.

A motorcade and 300 dog escort took Kabang to the airport where she was flown to California's Davis Vetinary Training Centre.

She is not going to recieve a new snout yet, but instead will have dental surgery which will help her eat.