WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – A Tennessee man was accidentally shot by his pet pit bull, Oreo, after the dog jumped on his bed and triggered a loaded firearm, police reported Wednesday.
The Memphis resident was asleep beside his female partner when the unexpected incident occurred early Monday morning. He suffered a minor graze wound to his left thigh and was treated at a hospital.
According to the police report, the one-year-old dog “got his paw stuck in the trigger guard and ended up hitting the trigger.” The type of weapon involved was not specified, but authorities classified the shooting as an “accidental injury.”
Though gun violence is a significant issue in the United States, incidents involving pets firing weapons remain rare. In 2022, a German shepherd in Kansas fatally shot a man after stepping on a hunting rifle, and in 2018, a pit bull-Labrador mix accidentally shot its Iowa owner in the leg.
The victim’s girlfriend, who was also in bed at the time, told Fox 13 Memphis that the dog is playful and often jumps around. She emphasized the importance of firearm safety, stating, “Keep the safety on or use a trigger lock.”
The bizarre incident serves as a reminder that responsible gun storage is crucial—even in the presence of four-legged family members.
