A bizarre hunting accident has left a dog owner with a shot wound in their foot – and the gun was fired by a pet dog called Trigger.

Allie Carter, 25, was wounded during a waterfowl hunt on Saturday morning in northern Indiana when she left her 12-gauge shotgun on the ground without the safety catch on.

Ms Carter had been hunting in the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area and had at one point placed the gun on the floor while she repositioned herself.

The hunter’s 11-year-old chocolate Labrador then stepped on the gun, managing to shot Ms Carter in the left foot, Indiana Conservation Officer Jonathan Boyd said.

Ms Carter had been hit with bird shot pellets and was treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries. She was treated and released, Mr Boyd said.

Officials said Ms Carter had never completed a hunting education course: "We encourage everyone to take a hunter education course before they venture out in the field," Boyd said.

Anyone born after 31 December, 1986 is required to take a certified hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license in Indiana.

However, anyone can get up to three apprentice hunter's licenses without taking such a course, if accompanied by a person who has taken it, Boyd said. Carter had an apprentice license and does not face any charges.