ABC News Blogs

Rescued Dog Bites News Anchor on Live TV

What do you feel about this article?


A veteran Denver morning news anchor got more bite than she bargained for in her coverage of an  uplifting story of a dog rescued from a frozen reservoir after the dog bit her on the lip, live on air.

Kyle Dyer, anchor for the morning and noon broadcasts of Denver's NBC affiliate, 9NEWS, was interviewing the dog's owner and rescuer during the station's 7 a.m. newscast this morning when she bent down to kiss the dog's nose. Instead of giving Dyer a sloppy kiss in return, the dog, an 85-pound Argentine Mastiff named Max, turned his head and bit into Dyer's face, as his owner and rescuer watched in disbelief.

Dyer, who joined the station in 1996, had to be taken to a local hospital where she is now recovering, according to an article posted on the station's website earlier today.

"Firefighters, paramedics and animal control were immediately called to the station.  Kyle was taken to Denver Health Medical Center." The hospital says Dyer "is currently in fair condition and is being evaluated by the trauma team. She is awake and visiting with family who asked that we thank the community for their immediate outpouring of support."

9News.com

"Kyle says she wants everyone to know that she is okay and is concerned about the viewers who were watching the incident live on TV."

Helpful to Dyer's quick treatment after the bite was the fact that the man sitting next to the dog, his rescuer, Tyler Sugaski, is a firefighter. Sugaski was appearing on the newscast along with Max's owner, Michael Robinson, to discuss the actions he took to rescue Max from the Smith Reservoir in Lakewood, Colo., just outside of Denver, the previous day.

Robinson was walking Max without a leash late Tuesday afternoon when the dog, whose breed is known as a hunting dog, began to chase a coyote.  Both animals landed in the reservoir's icy water. While the coyote went under the water, 3 ½-year-old Max managed to stay afloat until Sugaski and his fellow firefighters from the West Metro Fire Department arrived.

A helicopter from local ABC affiliate KGMH captured the dramatic rescue that saw Sugaski, protected by a cold-water rescue suit, venture out into the middle of the reservoir to grab Max. Tethered by a rope, he helped Max regain his footing, and then held onto him as both were pulled back to the shore by firefighters. Max suffered no injuries in the incident and the trio were invited by 9NEWS to recount their tale.

Dyer's profile on the 9NEWs website notes that she has, since 2000, also produced a segment called "Kyle's Kritters" that puts local animals in the spotlight.

Also Read
 

65 comments

  • Jessi  •  Thornville, Ohio  •  3 months ago
    This story is ridiculous! If you look up the video, the dog was showing his teeth to the woman before she put her face in his. EVERYONE who has ever been around dogs knows that one, you don't put your face in a strange dog's face and two, when they show their teeth, it's them saying "BACK OFF!" She's an idiot for doing what she did... It's her fault, not the dog's but now this story of rescue and love will turn into one of an innocent dog losing his life because of human idiocy! Ticks me off so bad!
    • adrenalyn_high2011 3 months ago
      I agree ...showing off his teeth was indeed a warning...the mastiff was acting on his animal instincts to protect himself...in effect saying, : "I do not know you, back off"...dogs are dogs...they cannot adjust to our intelligence, but we can...so, who's at fault now? are we going to penalize the dog for human misbehavior?
  • eric  •  Kingston, Jamaica  •  3 months ago
    A very sad incident , why try to kiss a dog you are not familiar with ?
    • Bella 3 months ago
      To get a good photo and ratings.....STUPID!
    • The Truth Hurts 3 months ago
      white people.
      they love anim al more than heir kids
  • eric  •  Kingston, Jamaica  •  3 months ago
    Very sad and most unfortunate incident , however I believe her to be stupid !
    • Bella 3 months ago
      Evidently she has never been around dogs. She should not have been allowed to do the interview.
  • Natalie  •  3 months ago
    I know Ms. Dyer meant well.Never ever kiss a strange Mastiff, or any dog you don't know, period! Imagine strangers up in your face trying to kiss you !
    • Bella 3 months ago
      Ms Dyer did not "mean well." She was looking for a good photo op, at the dog's expense. She got what she deserved.
  • Trecesa  •  3 months ago
    People are stupid. I have two smaller dogs (19 and 21 lbs) and I can't count the number of people who think it's okay for their kids to run up to my dogs with their hands outstretched. You should never assume that just because a dog is small and cute that it won't bite you. Dogs of any size or breed can and will bite. Humans have to be smarter.
  • julie  •  3 months ago
    Dogs are great judges of character. Makes you wonder doesn't it?
  • bob  •  3 months ago
    Never kiss an animal with teeth.
    Unless you want to lose your face.
  • Michael  •  Tampa, Florida  •  3 months ago
    She should not have been wearing that new perfume, Eau de Rib eye
  • wHoyaDaddy!  •  3 months ago
    In dog world, a corrective bite to another dog's jaw is a normal corrective measure. The dog is saying "Back off #$%$ you are bothering me.". The jaw is hard, covered in tough skin and low vasculation compared to other areas. Human jaws are much more vulnerable, soft skinned, highly vascularized, etc. Take it for what it was, a message not an "attack".
  • JasmineRose  •  Atlanta, Georgia  •  3 months ago
    Watching the video makes me wonder if this lady has ever been around a dog before or any common sense for that matter?????? Anyone who has an ounce of common sense knows when a dog starts showing you their teeth...BACK THE HELL AWAY, DON'T CONTINUE TO HAVE YOUR FACE RIGHT UP TO HIS.!!! I'm sorry but this lady is the one who is at fault here. Now the dog will probably be put down because of her stupidity :((
    • Bella 3 months ago
      In other words the actions of this idiot looking for a ratings boost may well cost this dog its life.The dog warned her, how STUPID can she be...guess we know the answer to that..
  • Educatin' , Not Hatin ...  •  3 months ago
    If they decide to put this dog down, there had better be a HUGE uproar. She was 100% wrong and she needs to do the right thing and make sure (no matter what the law says) this dog is not put down.

    She will have no viewership if she does otherwise.
  • realquiet58  •  Syracuse, New York  •  3 months ago
    I hope she is OK but even more, I hope that they are not mean to that poor dog. Dogs have feelings too. Poor dog.
  • Red Flags  •  Amherst, New Hampshire  •  3 months ago
    I hope she is ok, BUT, don't stick your face into a strange dog's face, ever. Especially a big dog. You have to show the dog respect. It is not a stuffed animal.
  • Hook  •  3 months ago
    You dont tug on Superman cape you dont spit in to the wind you dont pull the mask off the old
    Lone Ranger and you dont kiss and hug on Max
  • OldskoolOutlaw  •  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma  •  3 months ago
    I own an old English Mastiff who is very gentle by nature has snapped at people that invade his space. He is nearly 200lbs and has large teeth so I tell anyone wanting to pet him to wait till he gives the invite.
  • Rick  •  Moberly, Missouri  •  3 months ago
    From my years being around dogs I can tell you what the woman did, to that dog that never met her before took it as an aggressive move and did what it did to protect itself. Just as when you smile at another persons dog and and sometimes snarls at you. the teeth are considered aggressive to the dog. Never assume a dog is going to know what you have in mind.
  • Rilaford  •  3 months ago
    I hope you all remember that every bite has a story behind it - and that sometimes the human does things that are stupid and can sadly cause an animal to instinctually react in a way that is counter to their upbringing and nature. Please remember this when ANY dog breed attacks someone - please keep this in mind the next time you hear of a "pitbull" attacking - every bite has a story - and to automatically blame the dog is not a fair assessment of what the truth necessarily is. I hope the evaluators take all of the circumstances into account - I am very disappointed that the owner did not have current rabies - in this case, we have a lot of irresponsible owner actions that ultimately has led to this unfortunate accident. I appreciate that you all are realizing that sometimes humans do things that can provoke and attack - again, I hope you remember this when you hear about ANY dog bite.
  • Lyle S  •  3 months ago
    Kyle is a #$%$ She has hopefully learned her lesson via the law of intensity.
  • Cuca  •  Waterbury, Connecticut  •  3 months ago
    They were suppose to put a muzzle on the dog! Duh :))
  • beachwalker  •  Kingsport, Tennessee  •  3 months ago
    She was clearly in the wrong, she got down on the floor on her knees and then in the dogs face. Anyone who deals with animals can tell you this is not what you do with a dog that does not know you. Also, it was a stressful situation for the dog. I hope both the woman and the dog are okay though.