Authorities believe that the dognapping of Lady Gaga's two French Bulldogs, and the shooting of her dogwalker, could be linked to a gang initiation, according to a report. There has been a spate of similar incidents in the area and investigators are looking into whether or not this was a motive for the theft of Gaga's two dogs, TMZ reported, citing sources.
The incident took place last month. Gaga's friend and dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was walking the singer's three dogs — Gustavo, Koji, and Asia — when he was attacked and shot by two men who then fled the scene with Gustavo and Koji. Asia managed to escape and remained by Fischer's side until help arrived.
The dogs were returned days later by a woman who claimed to have found them tied to a pole in a Los Angeles alley. Gaga had offered a $500,000 reward but police have reportedly recommended that she not pay it until they clear the woman from any involvement in the case.
According to TMZ, the woman is under investigation but authorities do not believe she was part of the incident.
Fischer meanwhile is expected to make a full recovery. He has stayed out of the public eye but last week chose to break his silence and speak about the attack. In an Instagram post, Fischer recalled how Asia stayed by his side as he lay on the sidewalk with blood pouring from his gunshot wound.
"My panicked screams calmed as I looked at her, even though it registered that the blood pooling around her tiny body was my own," he wrote. "I cradled Asia as best I could, thanked her for all the incredible adventures we’d been on together, apologized that I couldn’t defend her brothers, and then resolved that I would still try to save them … and myself."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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