
LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Following the Kyle Dyer dog bite attack on 9 News yesterday, the dog remains quarantined. The Kyle Dyer dog attack hospitalized the 9 News reporter; but the NBC affiliate in Denver reports that Dyer is recovering after surgery. Officials Thursday confirmed to news that the pet at the center of the Kyle Dyer dog attack is quarantined, and will remain so, for several days. He will be released back to his owner possibly later this month. His owner, however, will appear in court in April to face a series of fines for the 9 News dog attack.
In 2008, President Bush’s first dog, Barney, bit a Reuters news reporter. Barney bit Reuters television White House correspondent Jon Decker at the time, breaking his skin.
One year earlier, dogs allegedly belonging to actor Ving Rhames attack a caretaker at the actor’s Los Angeles home. “It appeared that the person suffered a number of injuries as a result of the dog mauling,” Sgt. Lee Sands said in a news statement at the time “There were numerous dog bites all over his body, but the exact cause of death is pending the coroner’s ruling.”
But on Wednesday, a Denver news station was doing an update to dog rescue story that they had previously covered. An 85-pound Argentine mastiff dog named Gladiator Maximus, or Max, had been rescued by firefighter Tyler Sugaski after Max had chased a coyote.
KUSA aka 9News, an NBC affiliate in Denver, had aired the rescue live video earlier this month. So on Wednesday, 9 News decided to featured, on studio set, Sugaski and Michael Robinson, the dog’s owner. Also joining them was the dog, not on a leash, and Dyer.
Dyer appeared in front of the dog, kneeling, while the men remained behind the dog, seated on a sofa. During one exchange, Dyer leaned into the recently traumatized dog. Max lunged at her, and bit her.
The video aired on live television. At the time, it was unclear to news viewers if Dyer had been bit on the face or below. Her station says she was bit on part of her lip.
Moreover, the news station says Sugaski, who saved the dog previously, was now a hero for heloing Dyer. He “immediately started caring for Kyle in the newsroom and to us became a hero for the second time”.
Dyer was rushed to a local hospital. She underwent emergency reconstructive surgery on her lip. By evening, she was alert, responsive, and in good health. Her station said that Dyer was reading the wishes from viewers sent to her by email earlier that day.
Meantime, the owner was cited. Doug Kelley, the director of Denver Animal Care and Control, told news that Robinson was cited for not having the dog on a leash and not having the dog vaccinated. The dog, however, is expected to be released later this month.
Dyer’s condition improved from fair to stable. She reportedly suffered no trauma, but was under trauma evaluation.
The station later told news “Max and his owner spent about 45 minutes in the newsroom before they went on the air, and many members of the staff greeted them and petted Max. He seemed perfectly normal.” But “during the interview Kyle petted him, and talked to the two guest. At the very end of the segment, Max snapped at Kyle for whatever reason and got some of her lip.”
The station has been thankful of viewers who have sent their wishes of support. 9 News also set up an email address and mailing address to send message for Dyer.
Meantime, 9 News was quick to remove the video from its website. But in the hours that followed, and still today, other news stations have been airing the 9 News video, apparently without authorization, and even posting it to their YouTube accounts, unedited.
Vice President of News at 9NEWS Patti Dennis said on Wednesday that the station remains committed to animals, animal welfare in Colorado, and its community.