Rescued dog bites TV anchor during broadcast

DENVER — A veteran Denver television anchor was injured Wednesday after she was bitten in the face by a dog while doing a live broadcast about a dog rescued by a firefighter.

Kyle Dyer was doing a follow-up interview on the rescue of Max, an 85-pound Argentine mastiff that fell into a lake on Tuesday while chasing a coyote in Lakewood. Firefighter Tyler Sugaski, who put on a wetsuit and rescued the dog, was also being interviewed when the attack occurred.

According to KUSA-TV (http://on9news.tv/wOefIb ), firefighters, paramedics and animal control were called to the station after the attack.

The station showed video of Dyer petting the dog, but stopped before the attack occurred and said they would not show it. A station spokeswoman did not return a call seeking comment.

Megan Hughes, spokeswoman for the Denver Environmental Health department, said no decision has been made on what will happen to the dog.

"We impounded the dog as usual, and we issued a citation to the owner," Hughes said. Hughes said she did not have further details.

Julie Lonborg, spokeswoman for Denver Health hospital, said in a statement that Dyer was in fair condition and being evaluated by a trauma team. The hospital said she was awake and visiting with family.

According to the station (http://on9news.tv/yGZ4GQ), Max's owner, Michael Robinson, was taking the dog for a walk without a leash on Tuesday around 5:30 p.m. when the dog spotted a coyote running out of a bush.

The dog chased the coyote onto the ice and fell into the water, where the animal spent 20 minutes in the freezing water before firefighters with the West Metro Fire Department arrived.

Sugaski broke the ice with his arms to get closer to the dog.

"The dog recognized right off that I was there to help, so he came towards me," Sugaski said.

No phone listing was available for Robinson and the West Metro Fire Department said Sugaski was unavailable for comment.

Max suffered a few scrapes from the ice, but was recovering from his ordeal. Firefighters were never able to locate the coyote.