A veteran Denver morning news anchor got more bite than she bargained for in her coverage of an uplifting story of a dog rescued from a frozen reservoir after the dog bit her on the lip, live on air.

Kyle Dyer, anchor for the morning and noon broadcasts of Denver's NBC affiliate, 9NEWS, was interviewing the dog's owner and rescuer during the station's 7 a.m. newscast this morning when she bent down to kiss the dog's nose. Instead of giving Dyer a sloppy kiss in return, the dog, an 85-pound Argentine Mastiff named Max, turned his head and bit into Dyer's face, as his owner and rescuer watched in disbelief.

Dyer, who joined the station in 1996, had to be taken to a local hospital where she is now recovering, according to an article posted on the station's website earlier today.

"Firefighters, paramedics and animal control were immediately called to the station. Kyle was taken to Denver Health Medical Center." The hospital says Dyer "is currently in fair condition and is being evaluated by the trauma team. She is awake and visiting with family who asked that we thank the community for their immediate outpouring of support."

9News.com

"Kyle says she wants everyone to know that she is okay and is concerned about the viewers who were watching the incident live on TV."

Helpful to Dyer's quick treatment after the bite was the fact that the man sitting next to the dog, his rescuer, Tyler Sugaski, is a firefighter. Sugaski was appearing on the newscast along with Max's owner, Michael Robinson, to discuss the actions he took to rescue Max from the Smith Reservoir in Lakewood, Colo., just outside of Denver, the previous day.

Robinson was walking Max without a leash late Tuesday afternoon when the dog, whose breed is known as a hunting dog, began to chase a coyote. Both animals landed in the reservoir's icy water. While the coyote went under the water, 3 ½-year-old Max managed to stay afloat until Sugaski and his fellow firefighters from the West Metro Fire Department arrived.

A helicopter from local ABC affiliate KGMH captured the dramatic rescue that saw Sugaski, protected by a cold-water rescue suit, venture out into the middle of the reservoir to grab Max. Tethered by a rope, he helped Max regain his footing, and then held onto him as both were pulled back to the shore by firefighters. Max suffered no injuries in the incident and the trio were invited by 9NEWS to recount their tale.

Dyer's profile on the 9NEWs website notes that she has, since 2000, also produced a segment called "Kyle's Kritters" that puts local animals in the spotlight.