A bizarre incident in Memphis has left a man with a non-critical injury after being accidentally shot by his own pit bull, Oreo. The event unfolded early Monday morning while the 39-year-old victim, identified as Jerald Kirkwood, was lying in bed with a friend. During this time, Oreo jumped onto the bed, leading to a freak accident as the dog's paw became lodged in the trigger guard of a loaded firearm.

According to police reports, the paw inadvertently triggered the gun, resulting in a shot that grazed Kirkwood's left thigh. Fortunately, he was treated on the scene and subsequently taken to a local hospital, where he remained in stable condition. The incident caught the attention of both local authorities and media due to its unusual nature; cases of pets inadvertently discharging firearms are quite rare.

The friend who was present at the scene reportedly left shortly after the incident, taking the weapon with her, although the specific type of firearm involved has not been disclosed. Statements from witnesses, including Kirkwood's girlfriend, describe Oreo as a "playful dog" who enjoys jumping around, indicating a possible explanation for the accident. "It just went off," she recounted to local news affiliates, emphasizing the importance of firearm safety measures.

This incident is a part of a larger trend regarding pets and firearms, with the South China Morning Post noting similar occurrences in the past. In Kansas and Iowa, previous cases involved canines inadvertently firing guns, underscoring the need for better safety practices among gun owners, especially those with pets.

Authorities are using this incident to remind firearm owners to ensure that their guns are securely stored and inaccessible to pets, as proper precautions could prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.

More details can be found in the [original articles from the HuffPost, India Times, CBS News.