Why Lady Gaga's dog walker Ryan Fischer was shot and how the dogs were found

On a Wednesday night in Hollywood, a routine walk with three dogs ended in a violent crime. Ryan Fischer, who has cared for Lady Gaga’s pets for ten years, was walking three French Bulldogs on North Sierra Bonita Avenue. A car stopped near him, and two men jumped out. They tried to take the dogs, leading to a struggle. During the fight, one man used a gun and shot Mr. Fischer in the chest. The attackers fled in a car with two of the dogs, Koji and Gustav. A third dog, Miss Asia, escaped and later returned to Mr. Fischer while he lay on the ground. This event has raised questions about the safety of high-value pets and the motives behind such public attacks.

The Timeline of Events

"I’m bleeding out of my heart, of my lung, I’m bleeding out of my chest… They stole two dogs." — Ryan Fischer to a neighbor immediately after the shooting.

The core facts show a targeted attack involving a firearm, resulting in one person injured and two pets stolen, who were later returned by a member of the public.

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Evidence and On-Scene Data

The investigation relies on physical evidence and video gathered from the neighborhood:

• Surveillance Video: Footage shows a white car pulling up next to Mr. Fischer. Two people exit the vehicle and a struggle begins. A single loud bang is heard, followed by Mr. Fischer falling to the ground.

• Victim Condition: Mr. Fischer suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was treated by paramedics on the sidewalk and later moved to a hospital.

• Witness Accounts: Neighbors reported hearing loud screams that did not stop. One neighbor, Buck Angel, noted the screaming was unusual even for a busy area.

• The Recovery: A woman who was not involved in the shooting found the dogs and brought them to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic Station.

Investigating the Motive: Money or Politics?

There are different ideas about why this crime happened. Investigators had to look at two main possibilities:

1. Value of the Breed: French Bulldogs are very expensive and can be sold for thousands of dollars. Thieves often target these dogs because they are easy to carry and worth a lot of money.

2. Political Motive: Because Lady Gaga performed at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, some questioned if the attack was meant to send a message to the singer.

Was the attack a random act of theft based on the value of the dogs, or was it a planned move against the owner?

The Role of the Recovery

The way the dogs were returned has caused some to look closer at the events. A woman turned the dogs in to the police after Lady Gaga offered a $500,000 reward.

• The Finder: Police stated the woman appeared to be "uninvolved and unassociated" with the crime.

• The Reward: The large sum of money offered for the "no questions asked" return of the dogs created a high-stakes environment for the investigation.

Did the reward help the dogs get back safely, or does it change how the police view the person who found them?

The Shooting Incident

There is a focus on the level of violence used during the theft. Usually, pet thefts do not involve shootings.

• The Struggle: The video shows Mr. Fischer fighting hard to keep the dogs.

• The Weapon: A handgun was cocked and fired once into the victim's chest at close range.

• The Intent: Investigators are looking at whether the shooters intended to kill Mr. Fischer or if the gun went off during the panic of the struggle.

Does the use of a gun suggest the attackers were prepared for a high-level confrontation?

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Expert Analysis and Official Statements

Police and medical experts have provided a clear view of the situation's seriousness:

• Captain Jonathan Tippet (LAPD) stated that Mr. Fischer was expected to survive his injuries. He described the victim as being in stable condition after the initial life-threatening moments.

• Medical Update: Reports indicate that while the injury was severe, Mr. Fischer was able to breathe on his own and was moved out of intensive care within days of the attack.

• Security Experts: Observers suggest that the public nature of the attack shows a "brazen" attitude by the criminals, who acted despite the presence of many security cameras in the area.

Conclusion of the Initial Probe

The investigation confirms that Ryan Fischer was the victim of an armed robbery while performing his job. He is currently recovering from a serious chest wound. The two stolen dogs, Koji and Gustav, have been found safe and are back with their owner’s representatives.

At this stage, the police have not named the two men seen in the video. The woman who returned the dogs is not currently a suspect. The primary focus for the police now is to identify the shooters using the white car from the video. The case highlights the risks associated with walking high-value pets in urban areas and the extreme measures some may take to steal them.

Sources

• AP News: Lady Gaga's dog walker shot, French bulldogs stolen in LA

• The Star: Lady Gaga’s bulldogs found safe as ‘hero’ dog walker recovers from shooting

• Fox 35 Orlando: Lady Gaga dognapping: Surveillance video shows violent shooting

• The Sun: Gaga's bulldogs FOUND safe as woman hands them to cops

• Firstpost: Lady Gaga's dog walker shot, two French bulldogs stolen

• The Sun (News): Gaga cops probe if dognapper shooting was 'political'