Dog named Trigger shoots Indiana hunter in foot

As they say in the news business, if a dog bites a man, that is not news, but if a man bites a dog, that is news.

But what if a dog shoots a man, or woman? And what if the dog is aptly named "Trigger"?

There's your story. And in Kosciusko County, this actually happened.

A 25-year-old Avilla woman on Saturday was hunting waterfowl in the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area when she placed her 12-gauge shotgun on the ground, police said.

Her dog — named Trigger — stepped on the shotgun, releasing the trigger and shooting his owner, Allie Carter, in the foot, according to a press release from the state's Department of Natural Resources. The gun's safety was off.

Carter was transported to the hospital for injuries to her left foot and toes. The Associated Press reports she was treated and released.

Indiana Conservation Officers are using the strange and, fortunately, nonfatal incident as a chance to educate people about gun safety, reminding them to point the muzzle of a firearm in a safe direction and use the safety mechanism.

The state also requires hunters born after Dec. 31, 1986, to take a certified hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. Courses can be found at the Department of Natural Resource's website.

Call Star reporter Madeline Buckley at (317) 444-6083. Follow her on Twitter: @Mabuckley88.