After dog bite, TV news anchor undergoes reconstructive lip surgery

• Feb 9:
• Denver TV news anchor Kyle Dyer undergoes reconstructive surgery after on-air dog bite
• Feb 8:
• Raw video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
• Morning T.V. anchor vs. dog: "real" reality television

Denver TV anchor Kyle Dyer underwent reconstructive surgery today to repair injuries to her lip after being bitten by a dog during a live segment on the 9News morning show.

She was in fair condition and visiting with her family at Denver Health Medical Center, according to a hospital media release.

The dog was in the custody of Denver animal control.

The dog, an Argentine Dogo named "Gladiator Maximus," or Max for short, was rescued from a Lakewood reservoir Tuesday after he fell through ice into frigid water.

Tyler Sugaski, the West Metro Fire Protection District firefighter who pulled the dog from the water, was at the 9News studio in Denver along with Max's owner, Michael Robinson, of Lakewood, this morning when the dog bite happened.

"I was there, I attended to Kyle after the incident," Sugaski said. "She was in good spirits. I hope for a good recovery for her."

In light of the rescue Tuesday, Sugaski said he was surprised by the incident.

"It was definitely shocking, it was not how I envisioned my morning going," Sugaski said. "It's one thing getting called to a scene, but to be there right as it is happening, it's different."

During the rescue, Max, a 3-year-old who weighs about 85 pounds, swam directly to Sugaski as the firefighter worked his way to the edge of the ice.

"It looked like he just wanted to get out of there," Sugaski said. "He recognized I was there to help."

Max was rushed to a warm, waiting ambulance where paramedics treated the dog for hypothermia before releasing him to his owner.

Sugaski didn't see much of Max after the rescue, but they reunited this morning at 9News for about 20 minutes prior to going on air.

The dog's behavior raised no concerns prior to the incident, Sugaski said.

Dyer was bitten as she "tried to kiss/snuggle with the dog," according to the animal control report.

"My thoughts are on a speedy recovery for all, and that it all ends well," Sugaski said.

Doug Kelly, director of Denver Animal Care and Control, said Max will be quarantined for 10 days, as staffers look for signs of illness including rabies.

If all is well after 10 days, Max could be released to Robinson, who was cited today for having the dog off leash and for lack of rabies inoculation, Kelly said.

Robinson couldn't be reached for comment.

Viewers and 9News staffers took to social media today after the incident to comment.

"So you may have seen Kyle get bit by the dog in the 7 a.m. hour. All we know for sure is that he got her on the lip, and she's being treated for the injury at the hospital," Dyer's co-anchor Gary Shapiro posted on his Facebook page. "We think she's going to be OK, she was talking when she left."

After being evaluated by a trauma team, the hospital released a statement on Dyer.

"Kyle is concerned about the viewers who may have been watching the interview and wants everyone to know she is okay," the statement said.

Her family also thanked the community for its support.

Shapiro said the dog is "being detained by animal control while they investigate the incident."

In an earlier Facebook post, Brooke Thacker, a morning reporter with 9News, said: "We fortunately had a firefighter who was already here and he's taking care of her."

Further details on the extent of Dyer's injuries were not immediately available. The station said it would update viewers on her condition as soon as possible.

Websites describe Max's breed as large and muscular, weighing from 80 to 120 pounds. The dogs were bred in Argentina to hunt big game, including wild boar and puma.

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or http://www.360doc.com/mailto:knicholson@denverpost.com