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CHESTERMERE, Alta. — A police dog on the hunt for two assault suspects managed to fire a handgun that had been dropped in a treed area east of Calgary.

RCMP say the canine was not hurt when it set off the gun and there were no civilians nearby.

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Mounties in Chestermere, Alta., were called Wednesday evening to a report of an assault with a weapon in a grocery store parking lot.

Police say one of the suspects brandished a handgun during the assault, but no shots were fired.

They say witnesses intervened and the two male suspects fled on foot.

Officers and police dogs then tried to find the suspects in the area.

“While tracking, the police dog located a handgun in a bushy treed area near a commercial building,” RCMP said in a news release.

“During the recovery by the police dog, the trigger was activated and a shot was fired from the handgun.”

RCMP say they are seeking two men who stand between 5 feet nine inches and five feet 11 inches and have slim builds. One was wearing a black hoodie and black pants, while the other had a black shirt, baseball cap and blue jeans.

They don’t believe it was a random incident and are not concerned about public safety.

The victim was taken hospital with minor injuries and has since been released.