What is the significance of the dog in Rizal's firing squad?

[dragonjet]

Dr. Jose P. Rizal, national hero of the Philippines, was executed by Spanish firing squad in 1896.

In Luneta Park (bagumbayan) there are statues depicting the execution scene.

We noticed that there is a dog behind the firing squad. What is its significance??

[kempie]

7:03 AM December 30, 1896, a firing squad of six Filipino soldiers from the Manila Regiment armed with Remington rifles shot at Jose Rizal. The one live round from that group of six struck Rizal in the chest and he fell to the ground. A small dog suddenly appeared and ran circles around Rizal�s body. It is alleged that some of the Spanish spectators took it as a sign of coming misfortune for Spain's rule in the Philippines.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/pubs/rizal2001.pdf

[dragonjet]

thanks kempie :)

through our research in the library
(we gave up on internet)
we have recently read a book about it,
and you're correct, thanks