A NEW Zealand man remained in stable condition today after his dog jumped on a loaded rifle and accidentally shot him in the backside.

The Northern Advocate said the 40-year-old man from Te Kopuru, located in far-northern New Zealand, was injured while on a pig-shooting trip with three other men on Saturday.

The man was sitting in the back seat of a 4WD vehicle when the dog jumped on the loaded .22 rifle, which was also on the back seat.

The gun fired and a bullet lodged in the man's buttocks.

He was treated at the scene before being flown to Whangarei Hospital by helicopter where he had surgery to remove the bullet.

The men told police they thought the gun was unloaded, prompting authorities to warn of the need to be careful transporting firearms.

Originally published as Dog shoots New Zealand man in backside