Lady Gaga is offering a reward of $500K after someone stole two of her dogs and shot her dog walker.
Ryan Fischer, 30, reportedly took three of the pop singer's French Bulldogs—Koji, Miss Asia and Gustav—out for a walk in West Hollywood around 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
During the evening stroll, two men wearing baseball caps came out from the backseat of what appeared to be a white sedan that rolled up on Fischer.
One of the men shot Fischer in the chest four times, with what police said was a semi-automatic handgun, before getting away in the vehicle with Koji and Gustav on Sierra Bonita Avenue.
A surveillance camera from a neighbor's home captured the confrontation. The footage was made available at the request of Gaga's team who wanted to use it to track down the shooter.
In the disturbing footage, one of the assailants was heard cocking his gun and saying, "give it up," before firing the shots.
Miss Asia managed to flee and was later found by police.
One of the singer's bodyguards was later photographed coming out of the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood headquarters with Miss Asia.
A source close to the singer—who was in Rome, Italy, filming a movie—said the singer was "extremely upset" upon hearing the news and:
"is offering half-a-million dollars to anyone who has her two dogs, no questions asked. Anyone who has the dogs can use this email, KojiandGustav@gmail.com to retrieve the reward."
Police arrived at the scene and discovered Fischer conscious but having difficulty breathing. He was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.
Various news outlets were unable to confirm if the suspects targeted the singer's French Bulldogs or if it was a random attack.
Some on social media wondered if the cash reward would set a bad precedent.
Many expressed their sympathies and hope for a speedy recovery for the victim.
Actor and dog lover Danny Trejo assured Lady Gaga people in LA were looking for her dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club, French Bulldogs are the 4th most popular breed of dogs and are prone to be targeted by thieves since they are expensive and their small size makes it easier to steal.
Tara Bruno, the founder of SNORT Rescue, told PEOPLE French Bulldogs cost roughly between $3,000 and $5,000.
Said, Bruno:
"The motive is resale. Thieves know they can get a couple thousand dollars for them."
There are no suspects at this time.
