A Pennsylvania man is recovering in hospital after experiencing what police are calling a "perfect storm" of unfortunate events - his own dog accidentally shot him in the back with a shotgun.
The Unusual Incident
The 53-year-old man, who hasn't been publicly identified, was cleaning his shotgun at his home in Shillington when the bizarre accident occurred. According to local police reports, he had temporarily left the firearm on his bed when his dog jumped onto the same bed, somehow causing the weapon to discharge.
Emergency services were called to the 300 block of State Street in Shillington at approximately 11:13pm on Tuesday following reports of a shooting. Officers from the Shillington Police Department arrived to find the man with a back wound, and he was immediately transported to hospital for initial surgery.
Police Investigation Underway
Corporal Michael Schoone of the Shillington Police Department confirmed that an active investigation is ongoing to determine exactly how the dog managed to fire the weapon. Police are exploring two main possibilities - whether the dog's paw became caught in the trigger mechanism or if there might have been a manufacturing issue with the firearm itself.
A spent shell casing was discovered inside the shotgun at the scene, prompting officers to issue important reminders about firearm safety. Corporal Schoone emphasised the "cardinal rules" of gun safety, urging licensed owners to always "keep it in a safe direction" and maintain "finger off the trigger" until ready to fire.
Household Details and Aftermath
At the time of the incident, the man and his son were the only human occupants in the home, though they were in separate rooms. Three dogs were present in the property, including the one responsible for the accidental discharge.
While the shooting appears to be entirely accidental, police continue their investigations. The current condition of the wounded man remains unknown according to ABC News reports.
Corporal Schoone described the chain of events as particularly unusual, noting it represented that rare combination of circumstances where "it was just the right place at the right time, or the wrong time" for such a freak accident to occur.
