UPDATE—Lady Gaga’s two stolen French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were turned in to the LAPD unharmed on Friday evening. According to police, an unnamed woman met Gaga’s staff and robbery/homicide detectives at the LAPD’s Olympic Station at 11th and Vermont and handed the dogs over. Police also said the woman “found” the dogs and isn’t being named as the investigation continues.
Update: On February 26, 2021 at approximately 6:00 p.m., a woman met Lady Gaga’s staff and Robbery Homicide Detectives at Los Angeles Police Department Olympic Station with the two missing dogs taken in the recent Hollywood street robbery.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) February 27, 2021
Dog walker Ryan Fischer, who was shot in the chest during the Wednesday night robbery, is in stable condition in a local hospital. “Thankfully, Ryan is receiving extraordinary care in the hospital right now and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery,” his family said in a statement to NBC News. “We cannot possibly say enough to thank all of the first responders, nurses and doctors who have worked so tirelessly to care for Ryan. Of course, we also want to thank Lady Gaga who has shown nothing but non-stop love and concern for Ryan.”
FRIDAY, FEB. 26—The Los Angeles Police department is reportedly investigating whether the armed theft of two of Lady Gaga’s French bulldogs on Wednesday night—during which dog walker Ryan Fischer was shot in the chest—was a targeted attack.
According to the L.A. Times, police say they don’t have specific evidence that Fischer was tailed because the assailants knew the dogs belonged to the music superstar, but that the viciousness of the attack could indicate that the suspects were aware a large reward or ransom could result. On Thursday, Lady Gaga put up a $500,000 reward for the dogs’ return, “no questions asked.”
The harrowing attack—during which dogs Koji and Gustav were snatched by the assailants—was captured by a neighbor’s surveillance camera. In the footage, one of the robbers can be heard saying “give it up” to Fischer while pointing a handgun at him. After a struggle, Fischer was shot, and the suspects fled in what appears to be a white Nissan Altima. A third dog, Lady Asia, was not taken and was later found by police.
“It was just a horrific thing,” a neighbor told the L.A. Times of the attack on Fischer. “We just hope he’s OK. Just hearing his screams was awful.”
THURSDAY, FEB. 25—Two of Lady Gaga’s French bulldogs were stolen Wednesday night when an unknown assailant shot their walker in the chest in Hollywood. The victim, identified as Ryan Fischer, is expected to recover and sources close to Gaga have confirmed to several news outlets that Gaga is offering $500,000 for the return of Koji and Gustav, “No questions asked.”
A third dog, Miss Asia, escaped the gunman and was later rescued by the Los Angeles Police Department.
VIDEO: Lady Gaga’s dog Asia gets rescued by the LAPD. pic.twitter.com/NRTQV4s2je
— Little Monsters Community (@ladygaganowco) February 25, 2021
Captain Steven Lurie, commanding officer of the LAPD’s Hollywood Division, confirmed that police arrived at N. Sierra Bonita Avenue, just off Sunset Boulevard, at around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday after several 911 callers reported hearing screaming and a gunshot.
Fischer tried to fight off two men who approached him in a four-door sedan before one of them shot Fisher in the chest with a semi-automatic handgun and stole the animals. The suspects remain at large and it’s unknown whether they are both armed.
Video from a neighbor’s surveillance camera shows the frightening confrontation and the criminals making their getaway in what appears to be a white Nissan Altima. Fischer was taken to a local hospital.
The case has been handed over to the LAPD’s elite Robbery-Homicide Division. The unit’s commanding officer, Captain Jonathan Tippet, says it’s unclear if the attackers specifically targeted Gaga’s dogs. Ever since French bulldogs became something of a celebrity fashion accessory, members of the bulky breed can fetch as much $5,000 on the black market.
Just last week, two English Bulldog puppies were stolen from the home of a North Hollywood couple who had listed them for sale on Craigslist.
Lady Gaga—who’s in Rome portraying Maurizio Gucci’s ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott’s upcoming film, Gucci—has not commented on the missing dogs, but sources close to the singer ask anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact [email protected]
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