A Brampton man faces numerous charges after a puppy was allegedly stolen at gunpoint.

According to police, the incident happened Friday after the victim arranged a meeting around Skylar Circle in Brampton to sell the puppy through an online site. When the victim handed over the puppy, a nine-week-old American Bulldog named Tarzan, the suspect allegedly refused to pay and pointed a gun at the seller, police said.

When the alleged suspect fled with Tarzan, he shot himself in the leg and fell to the ground. The victim called the police at around 7:30 p.m. and the suspect was taken to hospital with injuries considered non-life-threatening.

Police recovered a Colt .45 firearm related the incident.

Tarzan was returned unharmed.

A 20-year-old man from Brampton was charged with robbery and firearm-related offences, including possession of a loaded, prohibited or restricted firearm and knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Peel police have a “safe exchange zone” at 22 Division at 7750 Hurontario St. in Brampton where online sellers and buyers can meet. The exchange zones aim to “increase public safety and reduce crime by giving people a safer place to meet when making transactions with strangers,” according to Peel police.

Peel police also have two zones in Mississauga, one at 11 Division at 3030 Erin Mills Pkwy. and another at 12 Division at 4600 Dixie Rd.

Steve Cornwell is a reporter with the Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. Reach him via email: scornwell@metroland.com

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