An estimated six humans have been shot by a canine in the past year (which is a hefty number for an animal that doesn’t have opposable thumbs).
Yes, you read that correctly. According to The Washington Post, six people have been shot by Spike in the past year, and that doesn’t count the people who failed to report any incidents because of embarrassment. While these gunshots are rarely fatal (the last death by dueling dog happened in 2008), it has recently caused policy makers to raise an eyebrow…before the NRA quietly told them to lower it again.
Naturally, many of the incidents happen in Florida:
-
The dog who shot his owner in the leg with a .380 pistol while riding in his truck in 2013
-
The dog who jumped onto a bed and knocked another .380 pistol on the ground in 2010, shooting its “extremely intoxicated” owner in the hand
-
The three-month-old shepherd mix puppy who shot a man in the wrist with a revolver in 2004 while the man was trying to shoot the puppy and its siblings “because he couldn’t find them a home.”
While the subject may appear to be funny at first, it really is a major issue, and a reminder that any animal (and that includes small, adorable children) is capable of triggering a firearm.
Surprisingly, there seems to be few incidents of cats shooting people. According to the Post, the last accident (or was it an accident?) dates back to 2005. Cat lovers may be inclined to say this is simply due to the fact felines are more mellow. However, we speculate cats are just better at finishing the job and leaving no evidence behind.
Whatever the case may be, make sure you lock up your firearms. If an animal that routinely eats its own feces can operate a firearm, that might be a cause for alarm.
[Featured Image Credit: Imgur]