A Pennsylvania man is recovering in the hospital after being accidentally shot by his dog, who reportedly set off a shotgun after jumping on a bed.
According to ABC News, the incident occurred on Tuesday around 11:13 p.m., when the Shillington Police Department received reports of a shooting involving a 53-year-old man who had been shot in the back.
Officers were en route to the home when dispatch informed them that the shooting might have been caused by a dog jumping on the bed and triggering the firearm. When police arrived, they found the man conscious and lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to the lower back.
RELATED STORIES: Tory Lanez to Serve Full 10-Year Sentence as Court Rejects His Appeal in Megan Thee Stallion Shooting Case
Man Explains How the Dog Triggered the Gun
The injured man told officers that he had been cleaning his shotgun earlier in the evening and had placed it on his bed before sitting down. He was cleaning his shotgun and had placed it on his bed, then sat down. During that time, one of his dogs jumped on the bed, causing the gun to fire a round into his lower back.
Police said the gun discharged as the dog’s movement apparently caused the trigger to pull, firing a shot that struck the man from close range.
The victim’s son was also home at the time, along with two other dogs, but was not in the room when the shooting occurred.
Authorities emphasized that the incident appears to be accidental, though an investigation is ongoing to verify the details and ensure no negligence or criminal conduct was involved.
Paramedics Rush Victim to Hospital After Accidental Shooting
Emergency medical personnel arrived shortly after the police and provided immediate aid to the victim before transporting him to a local hospital.
Officials said the man was taken into surgery for his injuries. While the extent of his condition remains unknown, police confirmed he was alert and communicative when first responders arrived.
Investigators have classified the shooting as accidental, though forensic experts are reviewing the firearm’s safety mechanism and the circumstances of discharge to confirm the man’s account.
