After Lady Gaga's French bulldogs were stolen and her dog walker was shot in Los Angeles last week, investigators initially looked into whether the assailants had targeted the singer in the interest of demanding a ransom.
New evidence, however, suggests the dogs' expensive breed alone may have inspired the attack.
MediaPunch/Shutterstock
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they have reason to believe the attackers who shot dog walker Ryan Fischer in the chest and stole two of the three dogs he was walking may not have known who the pups belonged to.
They now understand Ryan had stopped at Almor Wine & Spirits on Sunset Boulevard at Fairfax shortly before the incident, which occurred on a residential street seven blocks away. Given how busy and well-lit that intersection is, authorities have determined someone could have simply noticed Ryan walking alone with three Frenchies, which can cost from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, according to ABC.
As the American Kennel Club's Brandi Hunter told CNN last week, "Smaller breeds are more appealing for theft, and French bulldogs are wildly popular right now." She added that "the demand for the breed is higher than the supply so they are often a more targeted breed."
Gaga's stolen pooches, Koji and Gustav, were eventually recovered, having been spotted tied to a pole in an alley. The third dog Ryan was walking was recovered last week as well, presumably after escaping during the attack.
The singer's friend and dog walker, Ryan, whom she praised as a "hero" on social media, is expected to make a full recovery after being hospitalized.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Gaga has been in Italy preparing to shoot "Gucci" throughout the dognapping drama. She plays Italian socialite Patrizia Reggiani, Maurizio Gucci's ex-wife, in the upcoming film.
