A dog accidentally discharged a loaded shotgun inside a parked truck in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, sending pellets through the passenger door and striking a woman in the arm as she waited at a nearby red light.
The incident occurred shortly after noon on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Short Stop convenience store located at 2002 Avenue I. Police received an initial report of a person shot with a BB gun at 12:07 p.m. but quickly determined it involved a real firearm. Officers found a truck with an attached camper in the parking lot. The passenger side door panel showed clear damage from a shotgun blast.
The truck owner had gone inside the store to shop. A passenger stood near the front passenger door while a dog in the back seat moved from one side of the vehicle to the other. That movement caused the dog to step on or otherwise activate the trigger of a shotgun that had a live shell in the chamber and the safety apparently off. The discharge sent pellets outward through the door toward the street.
Dog paws can and do fit inside many trigger guards, making accidental discharges possible in documented cases across the country. A dog’s paw pads and claws allow it to hook or press the trigger when the animal shifts weight, jumps, or moves across a surface where the firearm rests unsecured. In this case, police reports indicate the dog’s movement while navigating the back seat area brought its paw into contact with the trigger mechanism. Similar incidents have occurred when dogs stepped on shotguns laid on beds or ground, with paws slipping into the guard and pulling the trigger during natural motion.
One pellet struck the woman in her upper right arm while her arm rested outside her car window at the traffic light on Avenue I. Family members transported her to Regional West Medical Center, where she received treatment for an injury described as not life threatening. The dog remained unharmed, and no other injuries were reported.
Nebraska law prohibits carrying a loaded shotgun in or on any vehicle on a highway, with violations classified as a Class III misdemeanor. Details of the specific firearm, its exact position inside the truck, and storage method have not been released. Police have reminded residents of the importance of safe firearm handling and transport. The matter remains under investigation by the Scottsbluff Police Department.
This unusual event highlights broader questions about firearm storage practices even during brief stops. Leaving a loaded, accessible long gun in a vehicle with a pet introduces risks that go beyond typical assumptions about animal behavior. Many gun owners prioritize quick access for protection or hunting, yet such choices can create unintended hazards in everyday settings like parking lots. Responsible practices, including unloading firearms, engaging safeties, and securing weapons when leaving them unattended, serve both legal requirements and public safety.
The woman’s experience underscores how quickly routine moments can turn serious through factors outside anyone’s direct control. While she has begun recovery, the incident serves as a reminder that vigilance around weapons extends to all occupants of a vehicle, including pets. Authorities continue to gather information, and updates on any potential citations or further findings are expected as the review progresses.
