Don't Get Shot By Your Dog

by
posted on October 3, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (33)

Every so often the national media reports on people whose negligence resulted in them being "shot" by their own dogs. The latest case involves a 78-year-old Fort Worth, Texas, woman whose dog knocked her shotgun over inside the home, apparently causing it to discharge. She was not seriously injured.

We can shake our heads or scoff at incidents like this. But the truth is, though it's rare for a dog to cause a firearm to discharge, it isn't unheard of. A casual Google search turned up dog-related accidents involving an Oregon duck hunter; an Iowa pheasant hunter; a Texas goose hunter; a French deer hunter; a Utah duck hunter; and a Florida deer hunter. Most weren't fatal, but some were. And the shame of it is none should ever have happened.

Accidents can happen among upland hunters—a loaded shotgun placed carelessly near an undisciplined dog comes to mind—but duck hunters, especially, need to use caution. When you have people, shotguns and a dog or two packed into a pit blind, some commonsense, mandatory safety measures are in order.

For starters, good manners must be instilled in your retriever. I don't believe a duck dog necessarily needs to remain unflinchingly still for hours on end, but he can't behave as a bull in a China shop either. At best it's an annoyance to all involved; at worst the dog could pose a safety risk. Disciplined dogs are safe dogs.

However, even if your buddy's Lab is a complete nut, you can still ensure a safe hunt. It's a no-brainer that your gun's safety should remain on until you're ready to fire, but that's not the end-all. Incidents have occurred in which a retriever's paw deactivated a crossbolt safety and pressed the trigger in one quick swipe. Therefore it's necessary to maintain muzzle discipline—keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction—and always ensure your shotgun is within arm's reach. If you leave the blind, the gun goes with you. And always pay careful attention to where the dog is in relation to your gun. If there's any chance at all he could bump your shotgun, ensure your hand is on the forend to prevent the gun from falling over or pointing in an unsafe direction.

With a little care, it's easy to erase all risk of these types of accidents.

Latest

2025 NRA World Shooting Championship
2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

KelTec Named Official Stage Sponsor for 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is proud to announce KelTec as an official sponsor of the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship, returning to Camp Atterbury, Ind., from September 30 to October 4, 2025.

Thompson/Center Arms Celebrating 60th Anniversary

Thompson/Center Arms is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. Since 1965, T/C Arms has built a legacy rooted in the pioneering spirit of American hunters.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Lucy Evans from Georgia and John Bruner from Pennsylvania.

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Moultrie Updates Line of Game Feeders

Moultrie has expanded the capacity of its line of feeders, and bettered the cameras' integration with the company's connected technology to streamline the feeding process.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.