A US news anchor who was bitten in the face by a dog during a live television interview says she needed 70 stitches in her lips and nose — and can't talk because her mouth is sewn shut.
Kyle Dyer, of Colorado's 9NEWS morning program, was rushed to Denver Health Medical Centre on February 10 after she was bitten by Max, an Argentine Mastiff that was rescued from an icy pond.
Dyer wrote on her Facebook page on the weekend: "After a 4 hour surgery, I have 70 stitches in my upper lip, lower lip and nose."
"I am unable to talk because my mouth is stitched shut to allow for the skin graft to take and get the blood circulating to my lips again."
Dyer said she was due to see her doctor this week and expected she would need to have another procedure in the next few weeks.
She said she would return to work once she was healed.
Dyer had been leaning in towards Max when he bared his teeth and snapped at her before his owner Michael Robinson could restrain him.
The dog was on the show after being pulled from a freezing reservoir by a firefighter last week, having fallen through the ice while chasing a coyote.
Max's owner has since released a statement saying the dog was gentle and loving and had no history of aggression, the Daily Mail reports.
"This incident truly is unfortunate and does not reflect Max's disposition towards people," the statement said.
Max has been taken by animal control officers and Mr Robinson has been fined.
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