Pennsylvania Dog Accidentally Shoots Owner in Rare Freak Accident

A Pennsylvania man is recovering after what police are calling a “perfect storm” of unfortunate timing, unsafe firearm handling, and one extremely enthusiastic dog.

According to reporting by the New York Post, a 53-year-old Shillington resident was cleaning his shotgun when he briefly set it on the bed. That simple move was apparently all the encouragement his dog needed to hop up beside him for some affection — and moments later, the gun discharged, striking the man in the lower back.

Cpl. Michael Schoone of the Shillington Police Department told WFMZ (quoted via the New York Post): “He’s not sure what stage of cleaning he was in at the time… it’s unsure if the dog’s paw may have gotten caught inside the trigger and the safety was off or if there was some sort of manufacturer malfunction.”

The man’s son immediately called 911, and responders transported the dog dad to the hospital for surgery. Police found a spent shell casing inside the weapon and emphasized that early evidence suggests a tragic accident — not intentional canine involvement. Schoone told reporters:

Obviously, you should be treating every weapon as if it’s loaded. All the cardinal rules… This was the perfect storm.

The investigation remains open, but police have reiterated: this appears to be accidental and preventable.

A Strange Case – But Not an Isolated One

As bizarre as this story sounds, it isn’t the first time a dog has been blamed for an unexpected firearm discharge. While extremely rare, similar incidents have been reported over the past century — almost always involving unsafe firearm handling, a disengaged safety, or a loaded weapon left within reach.

Here are a few incidents we’d come across;

• 2018 – Oklahoma Hunter Shot in the Back by His Dog: A Labrador retriever stepped on a rifle in the backseat of a pickup, firing a round into his owner while on a hunting trip.
• 2017 – New Mexico Man Shot by Dog in Police Squad Car: A pit bull mix accidentally pulled the trigger of an officer’s rifle while jumping around the vehicle’s interior.
• 2015 – Wyoming Man Shot After Dog Steps on Rifle: A dog jumped into a pickup truck, stepped onto a loaded gun, and fired a round into the owner’s arm.
• 2004 – Florida Man Shot in the Leg by His Dog: A hunting dog stepped on a shotgun and fired into its owner’s thigh.
• 1928 – North Carolina Dog Shoots Hunter – Historical reports describe a hunter being shot when his dog kicked the shotgun leaning against a fence.

While some of these stories became viral curiosities, the underlying issue is the same in nearly every case: a loaded firearm was left in a position where a sudden movement — animal or human — could make contact with the trigger.

Dogs are many things: loyal, loving, goofy, chaotic… but sharpshooters? No. These accidents overwhelmingly involve human error, not malicious terriers plotting a mutiny.

What Dog-Friendly Nevadans Can Learn

Firearm safety is taken seriously in Nevada, and this unusual incident serves as a reminder of best practices — especially in homes with pets:

• Always unload firearms before cleaning or setting them down.
• Engage the safety mechanism.
• Never leave a loaded weapon unsecured on furniture, floors, or vehicle seats.
• Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded — always.
• Be mindful of curious paws and sudden puppy enthusiasm.

Dogs may be gifted with incredible instincts, but they don’t understand triggers, safeties, or muzzle direction. As Cpl. Schoone put it, this was “the wrong time” for a simple mistake.