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The Kansas hunter who was found dead Saturday after he was accidentally killed when a dog stepped on the trigger of his rifle has been identified and is remembered as a musician, plumber and family man.
Joseph Smith, 32, of Wichita, was found near the village of Geuda Springs, 50 miles south of Wichita and home to 194 people just north of the Oklahoma border after the dog, believed to be owned by Smith, accidentally shot him. Sheriffs believe he died around 9:40 am.
“A canine belonging to the owner of the pickup truck stepped on the rifle and the weapon discharged,” the sheriff’s office said. The fired round struck the passenger who died from his injuries at the scene.
Chris Brown, owner of Brown’s Plumbing Services and Smith’s boss, remembered Smith earlier this week. “Joe is absolutely the most unique person I have ever had the pleasure to meet,” he wrote. “He was loved by all of us from all walks of life and he loved the same.”
Joseph Smith (pictured), 32, of Wichita, was found near the village of Geuda Springs, 50 miles south of Wichita and home to 194 people just north of the Oklahoma border. Sheriffs believe he died around 9:40 a.m.
Brown has started a GoFundMe on behalf of the family to help with funeral and memorial costs.
“No matter how bad or stressful my day or ours was, Joe always had something to lift our spirits,” she added. “I’ve been a plumber for a long time and I’ve met a lot of different guys, but I’ve never met another Joe and I’m sure there won’t be another.”
Smith’s sister, Jen, added her own recollection: “Joseph Smith was a truly amazing man. He was kind, funny, intelligent and very loving. Every time he walked in the door, he made someone smile. Whether it was for being a fool or simply by its natural presence making everything better.
“It wasn’t hard to love Joe because he always made you feel like you were unique and never left a conversation without telling you that he loved you. Joe will be greatly missed by many. He was a great friend, employee, cousin, brother, son, and dog owner. We have loved and lost one of the best. Rest in peace Jose.
The photos show Smith not only as a plumber and avid dog lover, but also as a musician.
As of Tuesday, more than $9,000 of the $20,000 goal has been raised to “allow Joe’s family to grieve without the burden of financial stress,” Brown said.
His sentiments echo those of a friend who defended Smith on social media after many mocked the unfortunate accidental shooting before he was identified.
The Kansas hunter who was found dead Saturday after he was accidentally killed when a dog stepped on the trigger of his rifle has been identified and remembered as a musician, plumber and family man.
Chris Brown, owner of Brown’s Plumbing Services and Smith’s boss, wrote: ‘Joe is absolutely the most unique person I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He was loved by all of us from all walks of life and he loved the same.
Brown has started a GoFundMe on behalf of the family to help with funeral and memorial costs.
“To all the comedians and gun experts here: this boy was my friend, he had been his father’s best friend for over 20 years,” he wrote. ‘These comments are hateful.
“I know this family very well and I cannot tell you how much their hearts ache right now. You should be ashamed.’
Shootings by pets are rare, but not unheard of.
In November, a 32-year-old man in Turkey was shot to death by his own dog after the canine stepped on the trigger of a shotgun and shot him.
Ozgur Gevrekoglu was killed while hunting with his friend on the Kizlan plateau in Turkey’s Samsun province, Turkiye newspaper reported, according to news week.
Smith’s sister, Jen, added her own recollection: “Joseph Smith was a truly amazing man. He was kind, funny, intelligent and very loving. Every time he walked in the door, he made someone smile. Whether it was for being a fool or simply by its natural presence making everything better’
The photos show Smith not only as a plumber and avid dog lover, but also as a musician.
Smith was celebrated by the owner of Brown’s Plumbing Services, where Smith worked
As he was getting his dog into his car, the animal’s paw touched the loaded gun and the rifle fired at Gevrekoglu from close range.
He was taken to hospital after the incident and later pronounced dead.
And in 2015, an Indiana woman was shot in the foot by her dog, named Trigger.
Allie Carter, 25, placed her 12-gauge shotgun on the ground without the safety on during a waterfowl hunt in the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area, Indiana conservation officer Jonathon Boyd said.
Boyd said Trigger, a chocolate Labrador retriever, stood over the shotgun and pulled the trigger.
He said Carter was shot in the left foot at point blank range and sustained injuries to his foot and toes.
She was treated at two hospitals and released.