Dog Saved From Icy Waters Goes On TV, Bites Anchor During Newscast

Oh how a great, happy story can go bad. This poor pup was saved by firemen after it fell in an ice covered lake. Later, on television, a clearly way too close news anchor goes to kiss the dog on his snout and the dog bites. It all happens fast but you can see the warning signals. Now, the dog’s future is up in the air and he could be put down. We hope the Anchor Woman is okay and Max isn’t put down.

— Kenn

DENVER, Colorado – A dog who was rescued from icy waters in Lakewood on Monday bit KUSA’s Kyle Dyer on the face on Wednesday morning, sending the TV news anchor to the hospital.

The incident happened during the “My20? morning news broadcast on KTVD, which is owned by KUSA.

The dog, whose name is Max, was detained by animal control officers after the incident, according to a co-worker of Dyer.

Dyer was described as being in fair condition at the hospital a few hours later.

The dog is a white 86 pound Argentine Mastiff. He ran onto the ice at Smith Reservoir near Kipling and Jewell apparently after seeing a coyote and chasing after it.

Copter4 captured images of the dog stuck in the water at about 5:20 p.m. Max was swimming around but he was surrounded by ice.

A few minutes later a member of the West Metro Fire ice rescue team who was attached to a rope crawled out on the ice, grabbed Max and he and the animal were pulled to safety.

Denver Animal Control Director Doug Kelley told CBS4 it was “a pretty major bite,” so they impounded the dog. The dog is at Denver Animal Shelter and will be held for a 10-day quarantine to check for illnesses, as is done with any dog bite that breaks the skin.

The dog’s owner was cited for three violations — a dog bite, a leash law violation, and a rabies vaccination violation because the dog didn’t have a vaccination.

Kelley said the dog appears healthy.

Statement from KUSA News Vice President Patti Dennis

The dog bite accident that happened today at 9News was unfortunate and certainly not expected based on what we knew about the dog and his owner. Our goal was to unite the owner with the rescuer for a nice segment. We are all thinking of Kyle and her recovery. I have reached out to the dog owner, Michael Robinson, as well as he came to the station on our request.

We have enjoyed having dogs and all kinds of pets in our building for nearly 30 years as a part of our Petline9 program. We will continue to support animals and the well-being of a community that supports animals. We are going to look at our procedures when animals come into our building as part of learning from this accident. Our goal is continued support of Petline9 but we want to be very careful to protect our people, the volunteers and the pets themselves.

We love Kyle and what she and her family do for this community. We also love animals and will continue to do all we can to use 9News to improve animal welfare in Colorado.

Below is the video of the newscast.

Below is the video of the rescue.

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Angie
12 years ago

This is why you don’t kiss dogs you’re not familiar with. the anchor is an idiot and I have no sympathy for him.

How about we start putting down humans who bite? Sounds like a better deal to me…………..

Melsloan61
Melsloan61
12 years ago
Reply to  Angie

The anchor is a woman. And maybe she just didn’t know not to put her face near the dog. But I’m sure she does now.

Jade
Jade
12 years ago
Reply to  Melsloan61

 What does a “WOMAN” have to do with anything????!!!!

Jade
Jade
12 years ago
Reply to  Jade

 nevermind…didn’t see the previous post. I would delete but don’t think I can.

Aerobear
Aerobear
12 years ago
Reply to  Angie

I couldn’t agree more.

Cleopatra3060
Cleopatra3060
12 years ago

rule number one: never put your face near a strange dog….. I think I learned that one around age 3

Melsloan61
Melsloan61
12 years ago

She’s my news woman. And boy do I feel for her! Poor lady. However, I learned long ago not to put my face near the face of an unfamiliar dog. You never know how they’ll react. They can be unpredictable.

Leona Ebert
Leona Ebert
12 years ago

The person who got bite is stupid you dont put your face by a strange dog and if they put that dog down then the people should have their heads examined that dog was scared and being in a strange place I would bite to if someone stuck their face in mine!!

Louise
Louise
12 years ago

People need to understand dogs are not people and you need to learn to respect there space . How they see the world is different from there eye view . What seems cute to us it’s not how they feel about it .We would not walk up to a stranger and just like that start touching and talking away , so what makes people think they can approach an animal that way , without waiting for that dog to feel it’s ok to let you in to there space ………….

It’s sad because so many dogs get put down , and it’s not there fault !!!

Stollbs1
Stollbs1
12 years ago
Reply to  Louise

You are right on the money. I agree 100%

Leslie-Ann Guiney
12 years ago

The dog is strange to you…  The dog is in a situation that is strange to it…  Maybe being up off the floor would and not mauling it would have been a good idea let alone shoving your face into it’s face.  Common sense!  I can’t say that I don’t have sympathy because it is not “deserved” however it should have been obvious that it could happen…  I know that a story like the one being covered can make you very sympathetic and make you want to “love” the dog BUT step back, look at all the Dog 101 rules you are breaking…  Now this will go down in history as an agreesive dog biting a poor new woman AND it just the luck that it happens to be a perceived violent breed!  How can we ever take a step forward when people keep pushing us 10 back!  This makes me so mad.

Dkrupted1
Dkrupted1
12 years ago

I 100% agree!!!! Ppl. really need to learn their dog 101

Cece Rubin
Cece Rubin
12 years ago

The dog was cold, exhausted and highly stressed, even though he was able to walk away as soon as he was rescued you could see him looking for a familiar face (scent) for comfort. Trying to comfort a dog in a human way when they are stressed out is a gamble, it depends on the dog’s state of mind at that time, the breed, its history with other humans . I feel the reporter acted in a way most of us would, instinctively and so did the dog. Lets wish both of them well, and I truly hope the dog doesn’t get put down!

J7am224
J7am224
12 years ago

This is a typical situation of the human causing the bite. That poor dog doesn’t know her, and she tries to kiss it on the muzzle? Are you kidding me? If they even try to put that poor dog down everyone who makes that decision should lose their jobs. It’s right there on film, the woman caused he own injury. I do feel bad for her but the dog is not to blame!

Dwlsmith
Dwlsmith
12 years ago

I think everything has been said. It’s not the dogs fault.

Mytmouse1981
Mytmouse1981
12 years ago

The dog clearly was DONE with her and her over powering petting when he turned his head AWAY from her. Then she pets him more and put her face in his??? WTG!!! I feel bad for her, but this dog should not have to pay the price for her actions!!!

Cdewitt2304
Cdewitt2304
12 years ago

Not the dog’s fault.  This dog was indicating that he was done when he tried to avoid her.  Watch some Cesar!

Cdewitt2304
Cdewitt2304
12 years ago

Not the dog’s fault.  This dog was indicating that he was done when he tried to avoid her.  Watch some Cesar!

pamorama
pamorama
12 years ago

Well, I haven’t watched the video, and surely the dog was in a strange situation, stressed, etc. And really an adult woman should know better. But I’m concerned about the fact that the dog was not leashed and chasing a coyote (could have been another dog) when he fell through the ice (UNLEASHED), and as a dog owner we have a responsibility to know our dogs and their body language. I know when my dogs exhibit tension, and one of my dogs would NEVER be out unleashed as he might pose a danger to smaller animals. The anchor woman was careless and perhaps ill-informed about dog behavior, but the owner should never have a dog like this outdoors unleased, and SOMEONE should have intervened when the dog showed tense body language–which I understand he did.

pamorama
pamorama
12 years ago

Footnote: I did read that the anchor’s lip required pretty extensive reconstructive surgery.

Sue Mason-Morton
12 years ago
Reply to  pamorama

that’ll teach her to put her face to a dog that was clearly trying to not be mauled by her

Bonita
12 years ago

Idiot woman! you never ever put your face on a dog , specially if this dog has just gone thru a huge ordeal and is shievering, in pain possibly, scared out of his witts and confused. I do hope this poor dog doesn’t get put down. Stupid stupid woman! have no simpathy for her. Irony, just rescued to be put down. Stupid woman! I’m pissed!

Karen Wilber
12 years ago

This poor dog was cold, exhaused and scared.  You don’t put your face up to a scared dog who is around an unfamiliar place in front of cameras.  Not smart.  I am a huge dog lover and love ALL breeds, but really, I never put my face near a dog I don’t know.  Stupid woman.  I hope the dog will be okay…

P Woolfs
P Woolfs
12 years ago

i am a dog owner (2 beautiful boxers )and i feel sorry for both the dog and the woman, the dog was in a strange place accompanied by two strangers ( not his owner) ,although he looked  stress free and happy, and the anchor woman was really being nice with the dog, fussing him and even getting on the floor with him to be at his level, and not be over-bearing—– I think it was a sad day for both of them, and i hope both will be ok.         As a foot note i think the owner needs to be very,very careful, in the future…… next time i could be a child.

Dkrupted1
Dkrupted1
12 years ago

They better not put that dog down!!!!!!!! Put the News Women down for being unbelievably dumb…

Katey
Katey
12 years ago

I’ll bet that woman was wearing perfume. Most perfumes are make from the musk of certain animals. Those animals spray their musk to mark territory, show dominance, etc… That dog smelled the musk and was being held in place where he couldn’t get away, He may have thought she was about to bite him.

Mmch244
Mmch244
12 years ago
Reply to  Katey

Very good point! Like many have said above as well, dog 101.

Adri21
Adri21
12 years ago

Most dogs would not react the way this dog did, this breed of dog is known for being agressive, a few years ago a dog of the same breed killed a woman in New York, City when she was stepping out of her elevator. I love dogs and most dogs even when you put your face next to theirs would not react this way. I beleive this dog is a dangerous animal and would probably bite again and eventually will hurt a person or another animal badly or worse.

Kenn Bell
12 years ago
Reply to  Adri21

That’s not fair. My next door neighbor had a chihuahua mix and her boyfriend did exactly what the newscaster did and got a bad bite on the lip. This is a dog issue, not a breed issue.

Rempekm
Rempekm
12 years ago
Reply to  Kenn Bell

I agree. You can’t blame the breed. My brother was bitten in the face by our miniature Schnauzer when we were younger because he didn’t know how to behave around a dog. Apparently this woman didn’t either. I hope she recovers and learns from this stupid mistake.

Sue Mason-Morton
12 years ago

like everyone’s said – what kind of idiot put their face to a dog that you don’t know? I won’t repeat what’s all been said except to say ditto :)….I hope the dog will be ok and although I feel bad for the anchorwoman,  if she did need reconstruction on her lips, it’s her own fault

Stollbs1
Stollbs1
12 years ago

Why would you ever put your face into the face of a strange dog and try to kiss it. Wow DUMB!!
Especially after what the dog went thru.

K2k9dogs
K2k9dogs
12 years ago

As a lifelong dog lover, and a person who lives on a lake, there are two things I constantly tell people not to do:  1)  don’t let your pet walk on the lake, even if you THINK it’s frozen, it’s “never” safe!  So, that’s the human error in the first part of the story.  2)  Never, ever, put your face in a dog’s face — whether the dog is known to you, or a stranger.  That’s the human error in the second part of the story.  In both cases, it was human error, but the dog will be the one who pays for it, either by drowning (which didn’t happen) or by being killed by the authorities because he bit the woman.  I feel for the woman, I really do.  When I saw this on the news, I cried.  

Angie
12 years ago

No Kenn it’s a people issue, people and some who do stupid things. Anyone with COMMON SENSE knows you don’t put your face near a strange dog whatsoever

Mk5016
Mk5016
12 years ago

Note to humans never get in a strange dogs face, even your own pet under stress or pain can bite! I hope the dog is not killed over this and it’s breed is not labeled as dangerous.

Irene Dorsey
Irene Dorsey
12 years ago

She is stupid.  How would she like it if some strange person walked up and kissed her??

Jamie
Jamie
11 years ago

I know this happened months ago, so I’m late to the party, but you people are disgusting blaming the women, that went on for 30 secs. if the owner wasn’t there he should have been to warn her.  I’m in no way saying the dog should be put down, just saying it’s the owners responsibility too.  Oh and I love how everyone is saying its her fault bc she went to kiss him, if he bit her hand while she was petting him then what?  Then would you still blame her?  Yeah, you’d prob say “Never pet a strange dog you moron”.  Meanwhile none of you even know how she was prepped before hand on how to handle the dog, the owner may of said the dog was completely safe.  Having said this I do agree you have to be cautious around certain dogs, especially ones you don’t know well.  But to put ALL the blame on her is appalling and as dog owner’s you should really think twice about your own responsibilities

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