There were warning signs 85-pound Argentine Mastiff was going to bite Denver news anchor

Posted: Feb 10, 2012 5:53 PM by Kathy Kuretich
Updated: Feb 10, 2012 11:28 PM

She was bit by a dog on live television, but now a Denver news anchor is at home, recovering from from surgery.

It happened Wednesday, on KUSA's morning show.
An 85-pound Argentine Mastiff, Max, bit veteran anchor, Kyle Dyer.
Dyer was rushed to a nearby hospital, and ended up having facial reconstructive surgery.

Max appeared on the show, less than 24 hours after being pulled from icy waters in a dramatic rescue. With his owner, and the firefighter who rescued him, Dyer knelt down to pet him.

But this happy moment turned terrifying in a split
second, when max bit her in the face.
"When you have dogs that are genetically predisposed to be protective they're naturally leery of strangers unless they've been properly socialized as a small dog," said Kenneth Brown, dog behaviorist, trainer, and owner of Brown's canines in San Luis Obispo County.

He said Max's owner and Dyer made several mistakes that day.
As Max got up, Dyer approached him from behind, while his owner tightened his leash... preventing him from leaving or turning around. That's when Dyer put her face within inches of his, and he snapped.
"Those that are, what we call weak nerve, the inability to handle stress, become defensive because they can't run and they become defensive and they lash out," said Brown.

He said Max's owner should've made sure max was comfortable with Dyer before they went on the air by properly introducing them.
"The owner is misinformed in how to present the dog to people. Had he been better informed, that would not have been the outcome," said Brown.

He said if you're meeting a dog for the first time, never put your face near theirs. They may consider that a threat.
Instead, let the dog approach you. If you can, extend your hand and give him a treat. That way, the dog will associate you reaching out to them as a good thing.

Max will have to be quarantined at an animal shelter for ten days. But officials there said he should be able to go home after that.