LAWRENCE, Mass. — Police say a dog searching for a gun that a shooting suspect had buried in a snowbank accidentally pulled the trigger with its paw, firing the weapon.

No humans – or dogs – were hurt.

The episode started at about 2 a.m. Sunday when an officer on patrol heard three gunshots. When the officer went to investigate, he saw a vehicle speed away.

When the car pulled over, police saw a man leap out, and bury something in the snow.

Ivan, a dog handled by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, was called to the scene to find whatever was buried in the snow. Police say he started digging furiously and fired the gun.

Three men were arrested and police determined the gun had been stolen in Manchester, N.H., in October.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.