How much are Lady Gaga's dogs worth on black market? French Bulldogs have become popular among celebs and fans
On Wednesday night, February 24, Lady Gaga’s dog walker Ryan Fischer was shot in the chest four times. The assailant stole the singer’s two French Bulldogs. The incident reportedly happened while the star was in Rome, working on the Ridley Scott film ‘Gucci’. Fischer was walking Gaga's dogs Koji, Miss Asia, and Gustavo, in West Hollywood at around 10 in the night when he was gunned down.
The violent attack happened outside Fischer’s home on Sierra Bonita Avenue. When cops responded to the scene, they found the man conscious but barely breathing. He was soon rushed to a hospital as his condition was described as “grave”. A source said that the singer's dog walker is thankfully "recovering well."
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Two of Gaga's dogs, Koji and Gustavo, were stolen by the assailant. Miss Asia, meanwhile, managed to get away and was found by police later. It was initially believed there were two attackers, but the LAPD said on Thursday afternoon that they were hunting for a single shooter who fled in a white vehicle. No arrests have been made.
In a police scanner audio that has since been published, a 911 operator can be heard saying, “Shooting just occurred… caller heard one gunshot and a female screaming.” The operator added, “One male down… male conscious and breathing, approximately 35-years-old, suffering from a gunshot wound.” Later in the audio, the operator said that the two small dogs were taken. The assailant was last seen fleeing northbound on North Sierra Bonita Avenue towards Hollywood Boulevard in a white vehicle.
Joe Germanotta, the father of the pop star whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, told Fox News: “Our whole family is upset and praying Koji and Gustavo are not harmed. Shooting someone in order to steal dogs is wrong.” A source said the singer "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."
How much are the dogs worth on the black market?
On Thursday, the New York Post reported that there is a booming black market for French Bulldogs because of their “easy-to-snatch size and the breed’s popularity among celebrities”. According to American Kennel Club Vice President of Public Relations Brandi Hunter, this breed has become popular in recent years.
Hunter said French Bulldogs topped the list of New York City’s most-owned breeds and can now fetch between $1,500 and $5,000 in some circles. “There has been an increase in celebrity ownership, and a higher visibility -- and with that comes a higher demand,” Hunter said. “But they’re not just a fashion accessory under your arm -- they’re a living, breathing family member.”
Along with becoming a “fashionable” breed, the dog’s size makes it more vulnerable to black market swindlers, she said. “It’s compact, portable size plays a role. Are you going to steal a Rottweiler? I don’t think so,” she added.