Dog Shoots Man

A man was shot in the thigh when his handgun -- stuck in the waistband of his pants -- went off while the man was picking up his dog and the dog's paw snagged the trigger, the Plano Police Department said.

The man was able to drive himself to a hospital for treatment, police said. In reporting the incident, police took the opportunity to remind gun owners of common-sense safety practices involving firearms ... such as not carrying a pistol without a holster that covers the trigger.

Comments posted about the report were skeptical of the man's story since the dog would have had to have very small paws, the trigger of the handgun would have had to be exposed and the weapon ready to fire. 

Not only is it difficult to carry a handgun in your waistband with that much of the gun exposed, the dog would have had to pull UP on the trigger in order for the gun to discharge.

Police have not divulged any more information about the incident, such as whether the man was licensed to carry a handgun, what kind of weapon was involved or what kind of dog he owned.  

Just like the dog in the classic excuse, "The dog ate my homework," I think the dog is innocent.

  -- Dr. Gatling