Star’s Relief as Lady Gaga’s Stolen Bull Dogs are Safely Returned
Two Bull Dogs belonging to pop icon Lady Gaga have been safely returned after being snatched during an armed robbery. According to People and NBC news reports, the dogs were taken from Lady Gaga’s dog walker while she was in Italy shooting her latest movie. TMZ released disturbing footage that clearly shows dog walker, Ryan Fischer, getting shot and injured during the attack. A neighbor’s surveillance camera caught two men getting out of a white sedan. One of the men appears to cock a gun and shouts, “give it up”. During the struggle, Fischer is shot in the chest and two out of Lady Gaga’s three dogs are taken.
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Later, the star issued a $500,000 reward for the safe return of her missing dogs, Koji and Gustav. Gaga’s distress was clear in her social media message: “My beloved dogs Koji and Gustav were taken in Hollywood two nights ago. My heart is sick and I am praying my family will be whole again with an act of kindness. I will pay $500,000 for their safe return. Email [email protected] to contact us.” Lady Gaga’s father, Joe Germanotta, described the incident as feeling like someone had taken one of their kids. Their family is “sick over it”. Even still, Germanotta tried to reassure his daughter that her dogs were at least together and were comforting each other.
Dogwalker Left Injured
Lady Gaga’s third dog, Miss Asia, was thankfully left behind. She stayed with Fischer, who was seen on the ground, exclaiming “I’ve been shot”. The incident took place in late February, between 9pm and 10pm, on Hollywood’s Sierra Bonita Avenue. At the time, a LAPD spokesperson confirmed one male had been taken to the hospital and was in critical condition. We believe it was Fischer. Reports indicated that the dogwalker had received injuries to his heart and lungs inflicted by a semi-automatic hand gun. He was later described as stable. In the last few days, Los Angeles Police Captain Jonathon Tippet indicated that Fischer should make a full recovery. The music icon paid tribute to the dog walker’s bravery. Gaga issues this statement, “I continue to love you Ryan Fischer, you risked your life to fight for our family. You’re forever a hero.”
Lady Gaga's dog walker Ryan Fischer reportedly in stable condition https://t.co/hlFjvYVOnr pic.twitter.com/IvnjupLUT2
— New York Post (@nypost) February 27, 2021
A Mysterious Rescuer
Fans’ hearts bled for Gaga and her dogs. It didn’t take long for them to circulate photos and descriptions of the two attackers. Their Nissan Altima was last seen heading northbound, toward Hollywood Boulevard. Thankfully, it all paid off. By late Friday, there was good news. An unidentified woman found both dogs and dropped them off at LAPD’s Olympic Station in Koreatown, unharmed. She wishes to remain unknown to protect herself, though police assure viewers she is not involved in the attack. The investigation, however, is still ongoing. LAPD Robbery Homicide Detectives are searching for those responsible in hopes of bringing them to justice. Either way, whoever found the dogs has left the Gaga family in an ecstatic state. “We had them checked out by the vet and everything is fine. The family is extremely happy,” says father Joe Germanotta.
Police have not yet revealed if the dogs were targeted because of their celebrity status. Tara Bruno, founder of a New Jersey based organization for rescuing bulldogs, explained that this breed is a common target for thieves. They are “very popular, small and portable, and expensive.” She goes on to explain that, “the motive is resale. Thieves know they can get a couple thousand dollars for them.”
Meanwhile, heroic dog walker, Ryan Fischer, is doing much better. “He would do anything for them, anything,” says Dr. Fred Pescatore, a friend of Fischer’s. “He would protect these dogs with his life. And he almost has.” It has been a sorrowful few weeks in the Gaga household, but it looks like things are turning up. She certainly picked a good dog walker!
