A Memphis man was left injured in a bizarre accident after his dog allegedly fired a loaded gun while they were in bed.
The victim, identified as 51-year-old Jerald Kirkwood, was asleep next to his female companion early Monday morning when his one-year-old pit bull, Oreo, reportedly stepped on the trigger of a firearm, causing it to discharge. The bullet grazed Kirkwood’s left thigh, and he was transported to a hospital for treatment.
According to Memphis Police, the incident has been classified as an accidental injury. However, officers noted that Kirkwood’s female partner fled the scene with the gun after the shooting, leaving behind a spent shell casing. Authorities are continuing their investigation.
While gun-related incidents are common in the United States, cases involving animals pulling the trigger remain rare. In 2019, a former LSU football player lost his leg after his dog accidentally fired a shotgun during a hunting trip. Similarly, in 2018, an Iowa man was shot by his pit bull-Labrador mix.
Experts warn that such incidents highlight the dangers of unsecured firearms, especially in homes with pets. Gun safety advocates stress the importance of keeping weapons unloaded, secured in locked storage, and out of reach of both animals and children.
