Tennessee Man Accidentally Shot by His Dog While Relaxing in Bed

A Tennessee man was shot by his dog while lying in bed on March 12, 2025. Jerald Kirkwood reported that his one-year-old pit bull, Oreo, accidentally discharged a firearm when it jumped onto the bed, causing a bullet to graze his left thigh.

The accidental shooting highlights ongoing concerns about firearm safety in homes where pets are present. In this case, after the incident, Kirkwood and an unnamed woman who was also at the scene acknowledged the need for better gun safety measures. They stated they would ensure firearms are secured with safeties or trigger locks moving forward.

Statistics show that unintentional firearm injuries have become increasingly common in the united states. According to Brady: United Against Gun Violence, since 2019, these injuries have been the leading cause of gun-related hospitalizations. The prevalence of guns also raises questions about safety practices among owners:

• Unintentional shootings often occur due to negligence or lack of proper safety equipment.
• The U.S. has more civilian-owned guns than people.
• Lax laws regarding gun ownership contribute to these incidents.

This incident is not isolated; there have been other cases where pets unintentionally caused harm with firearms. For example, Richard Remme from Iowa was shot by his dog during playtime in 2018. Similarly, former LSU football player Matt Branch suffered severe injuries when his labrador retriever stepped on a shotgun during a hunting trip.

The shooting involving Kirkwood serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and securing firearms properly to prevent accidents involving pets or children.