Dog Shoots Man in Tennessee: A Strange Accident
A surprising incident happened in Memphis, Tennessee, where a dog accidentally shot its owner. This unusual case is just one of many accidental shootings in the U.S.
How It Happened
Jerald Kirkwood and a woman were lying in bed when his one-year-old pit bull, Oreo, jumped up. Oreo’s paw got stuck in the trigger guard of a gun, causing it to fire. The bullet grazed Kirkwood’s left thigh.
According to local news station WREG, the woman with Kirkwood left the home with the gun, while Kirkwood was taken to the hospital with non-critical injuries.
Dog Was Just Playing
Speaking to Fox 13, the woman said, “Oreo is a playful dog. He likes to jump around, and the gun just went off.” She added that they would now ensure all guns in the home have the safety on or a trigger lock.
Memphis police ruled the incident as an accident and took no action against Oreo or his owner.
Accidental Gun Injuries in the U.S.
Gun safety is a big issue in the U.S. The non-profit group Brady: United Against Gun Violence reports that unintentional gun injuries have been the most common type of firearm injury requiring hospitalization since 2019. Studies also show that there are more guns than people in the U.S.
Other Cases of Pets Firing Guns
Kirkwood is not the first person shot by a pet. In 2018, Richard Remme from Iowa was shot in the leg while playing with his pit bull-labrador mix, Balew. In 2019, former Louisiana State University football player Matt Branch lost his leg when his dog stepped on a shotgun during a hunting trip.
Gun Safety Matters
These cases highlight the importance of gun safety. Pet owners with firearms should always keep guns secured with safety locks to prevent tragic accidents.
Would you ever expect a dog to fire a gun? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Dog Shoots Man in Tennessee: A Strange Accident
