We often hear the cliché headline 'dog bites man'. But we rarely, if ever, hear this one - dog shoots man. But that's what happened in Memphis, Tennessee Tuesday night, when a Great Dane named King George became excited by the arrival of several visitors to his home.

In a strange series of circumstances that might be one in a million chance, the large animal managed to knock over a handgun that was sitting on a table. The weapon hit the floor and went off, sending a bullet straight into the back of the pooch's owner. He fell to the floor as his stunned friends watched in shocked disbelief.

The victim was rushed to hospital in critical condition but is expected to recover. King George remains in the doghouse, although his two-legged judges are well aware the entire incident was just a freak accident. There's no word on why the gun wasn't properly secured.