Dog Shoots Owner Gregory Dale Lanier While Driving in Florida: Pup Accidentally Fires 'Unloaded Gun,' Hits Shocked Driver in Leg, No Arrests Made

Reports confirm that 35-year-old Floridian Gregory Dale Lanier was unintentionally shot in the leg by his own furry, four-legged companion during a casual drive in his truck over the weekend. Apparently, Lanier's pet dog accidently kicked his owner's loaded .380 pistol (which Lanier initially thought was empty) onto the vehicle's floor, firing off a gunshot into his leg. Following the shocking incident, police ultimately ruled the shooting accidental and did not end up arresting the dumbfounded pup (or his owner).

According Highlands Today, not only was Lanier surprised to find out that the gun was loaded, but he apparently had no idea that it was a 9mm assault weapon. Lanier described the bizarre incident to the Sebring police - the department then released an official statement claiming that "[he was driving] when his dog kicked his unloaded .380 pistol causing it to fire and the bullet struck his leg... [Lanier then heard a loud boom], saw smoke, and felt a burning in his leg."

Sebring Police Commander Steve Carr told the Highlands Today that he's never handled an unusual case like this before. But since the whole thing proved to be a minor (yet potentially dangerous) mishap, he did not arrest or detain Lanier's dog.  

Oddly enough, this isn't the first time an innocent pet pup accidently harmed its owner with gunfire in Florida. In December 2011, 78-year-old Billy E. Brown was shot in the thigh by his pet bulldog named Eli while driving to a popular deer-hunting spot in Pasco County. According to both Lanier and Brown, neither dog should be held accountable for his harmful (yet innocent) actions.