A French hunter has told how he had to have his hand amputated after his "adorable" dog accidentally shot him.

The 55-year-old man, named only as Rene, said the animal accidentally pulled the trigger of his master's shotgun after jumping on top of him "for a cuddle".

The shot destroyed his right hand and he had to be taken by helicopter to a hospital in Bordeaux, where doctors were unable to save the limb.

Rene, who was hunting with three Blue Gascony Basset hounds in St Michel de Double, in the southwestern Dordogne region, told France Bleu radio he did not blame the animal.

"It wasn't the dog's fault," he said. "And he's adorable! I should have left the (gun's) safety on, that's all."