Dog Shoots Man
An unusual and unexpected incident occurred in Memphis, Tennessee, when a man was shot by his own pet dog after it accidentally set off a loaded firearm. Police confirmed the bizarre incident on Wednesday, describing it as an “accidental injury.”
The victim, who was asleep beside his female partner at the time, was wounded early Monday morning when the firearm discharged. Fortunately, he escaped with only a graze on his left thigh and was promptly treated at a local hospital.
According to the official police report, the shooter—an energetic one-year-old pit bull named Oreo—accidentally fired the gun when its paw became stuck in the trigger guard.
The sudden discharge of the weapon startled the occupants of the room, but no further injuries were reported. Authorities did not specify the type of firearm involved in the incident.
Gun violence is an ongoing issue in the United States, but cases involving pets unintentionally firing weapons are exceptionally rare. However, this is not the first time such an accident has occurred.
In 2022, a hunting trip in Kansas turned fatal when a German shepherd stepped on a rifle, killing a 30-year-old man. Similarly, in 2018, a 51-year-old Iowa man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg when his pit bull-Labrador mix inadvertently discharged a firearm.
The victim’s girlfriend, who was also in bed at the time of the shooting, recounted the shocking moment. Speaking to local news outlet Fox 13 Memphis, she explained that Oreo is a playful dog that enjoys jumping around. She described how, in an unexpected twist of fate, his movement caused the gun to go off.
Following the ordeal, she shared an important takeaway: gun safety measures must always be a priority in households with pets.
She emphasized the need for keeping the safety mechanism engaged or using a trigger lock to prevent such accidents in the future.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible firearm storage, especially in homes with active pets or children. Experts recommend storing firearms in locked safes and ensuring that weapons are not left loaded in easily accessible areas.
