MEMPHIS, TN — A man suffered a grazing gunshot wound early Monday morning in what police are calling an accidental discharge but should be called a negligent discharge caused by a dog. However, several details surrounding the incident raise questions about how the shooting actually occurred.
As reported by Action News 5, officers responded to a home on Whitney Avenue around 3:50 a.m. for a reported accidental injury. The victim told police he was lying in bed with a friend when his dog jumped onto the bed, got its paw stuck in the trigger guard of a firearm, and discharged a round. The bullet grazed the man’s left thigh.
His friend then left the scene, reportedly taking the firearm with her. When police arrived, they discovered spent shell casings on the front room floor. However, the report did not clarify whether there was a bed in that room, raising questions about where exactly the shooting took place. Additionally, the presence of multiple casings suggests that more than one round may have been fired.
The victim was transported to the hospital in non-critical condition. Police have not indicated whether they plan to investigate further.
While negligent discharges involving pets have been documented in rare cases, proper firearm safety practices could have prevented this incident. A loaded firearm should always be secured in a holster or locked in a safe when not in use. Leaving a gun unattended on a bed presents a significant risk, whether from a pet, a child, or even an adult unfamiliar with proper handling. This case also raises questions about whether someone else may have negligently fired the weapon rather than the dog. Regardless, this incident serves as a reminder that responsible firearm storage is critical to preventing accidents.
Coming from Nebraska, I have heard several stories of hunters crossing fences and having their dog accidentally pull the trigger on their shotguns while crossing. Usually the gun was leaned up against the fence on the opposite and the dog crossing tripped it.