Canadian man accidentally shoots himself while trying to steal puppy

A Canadian puppy thief has accidentally shot himself in the leg while trying to make a getaway, police said.

The 20-year-old suspect, who wasn’t identified, arranged through an online classifieds section to purchase a nine-week-old American Bulldog named “Tarzan” in Brampton on Friday, according to Peel Regional Police.

But when the pooch was handed over to him, the man refused to pay and brandished a firearm at the seller, authorities said.

But when he ran away with the dog he mistakenly shot himself in the leg and then fell to the ground.

The seller called authorities, who rendered aid to the suspect before he was brought to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, officials said.

Peel Regional Police Constable Heather Cannon said Tarzan was returned to the seller unharmed after the incident.

“I know that in the end we did have an unharmed very happy puppy that was returned to the seller … but I think it is something to be mindful of, especially when people are considering buying and selling online,” Cannon said.

The suspect has been charged with robbery and firearm-related offenses stemming from the botched theft.