A plumber shot dead by a dog after it stepped on the trigger of his rifle has been pictured lounging with his beloved pet before it later killed him.
Joseph Smith, 30, from Kansas, US, entered the front passenger seat of his truck on Saturday morning in Geuda Springs, which is home to just 194 people north of the Oklahoma border.
The hunter then placed his dog in the back of his jeep along with his hunting gear, which included a rifle.
However, the canine stepped on the trigger of the owner's rifle and killed him.
Sumner County Sheriff’s Office said: “A canine belonging to the owner of the pick-up stepped on the rifle causing the weapon to discharge.
“The fired round struck the passenger who died of his injuries on scene.”
Emergency services were called to the scene within minutes of a 911 call and immediately began CPR on Joseph.
However, he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
A GoFundMe page has been launched on behalf of the plumber's family in order to try and help pay for funeral costs.
There has been over $10,000 (£8,000) raised out of the $20,000 (£18,000) goal which will "allow Joe's family to grieve without the burden of financial stress", according to the GoFundMe page.
Joseph, who worked as a plumber, has seen his death mocked which led to his friends criticising the cruel comments surrounding his death.
Friend Jimmy White, from Wichita, wrote: "To all the comedians and weapons experts here - this boy was my friend, having been best friends for over 20-plus years with his dad.
“These comments are hateful.
“I know this family very well and cannot tell you how much their hearts hurt right now. Shame on you.”
Joseph's former boss Chris Brown, owner of Brown's Plumbing Services, penned an emotional tribute to his employee.
He wrote: "Joe is absolutely the most unique individual I have had the pleasure of meeting.
"He was loved by all of us from all walks of life and loved the same."
The hunter's sister Jen called her brother, who was a keen musician, "kind, funny, smart and very loving."
She wrote: "Joseph Smith was a truly amazing man. He was kind, funny, smart, and very loving.
"Every time he walked through the door, he would make someone smile. Either from being a goofball or just his natural presence making everything better.
"It wasn't hard to love Joe because he always made you feel like you were one of a kind and never left a conversation without letting you know he loved you."
