TV Anchor Gets Attacked on Air - What Lessons Can We Learn?

Feb 13th 2012

By Dr. Marty Becker, via Vetstreet

Like everyone else, I cringed when I saw the story of the dog who attacked Denver news anchor Kyle Dyer. Dyer was bitten on the face, and she will be off work for weeks following reconstructive surgery. And Max, the dog? Fate unknown. He's in rabies quarantine, but what will happen to him after that has yet to be decided.

Max was on the show to be reunited with the firefighter who heroically waded into an icy lake to save him after he fell in. And now, because of poor judgment, a feel-good story has turned tragically bad.

SEE ALSO: Bad Dog Behavior – Is It a Medical Problem or Training Issue?

Dogs Get Stage Fright Too
I know about dogs, bites and TV. In nearly every TV appearance I've made, whether on Good Morning America or the local news, I'm usually holding a dog. Many times, they're dogs I've just met a few minutes earlier.

I've never been seriously bitten myself during these appearances, and the dogs I've handled on set have never bitten anyone else. Why? Because I know what makes a dog feel safe and secure and what makes a dog anxious or angry. No matter what else I'm doing on set, I'm paying attention to the dog - close attention.