Tragedy has struck yet another French Bulldog owner.
Less than a year after Lady Gaga’s dog walker was shot in the chest and two of her three French Bulldogs were stolen, another Los Angeles dog owner was nearly ambushed to death.
Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was walking Gaga’s three Frenchies on the evening of February 25 in West Hollywood, CA. when he was approached by two masked men. The men were trying to rob him of the three dogs, but Fischer retaliated.
Another Dognapping Happens In Los Angeles
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Unfortunately, one of the masked men had a gun and shot him in the chest. The crooks were able to make off with two of the three dogs. Gaga’s black, female Frenchie, Angel, was able to escape from the thieves.
The bullet pierced Fischer’s lung and he was rushed to the ER.
Now, in a new incident unrelated to Gaga and Fischer, a West Hollywood, CA. man is fighting for his life after an eerily similar situation happened to him and his Frenchie.
The Incident Happened Less Than A Year After Gaga’s Dognapping
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CBSN Los Angeles reports the dog owner, Robert Marinelli, was out for his usual stroll in his neighborhood on Tuesday, December 28, when he was attacked and nearly beaten to death.
The suspect was able to take off with his pup, named Luca.
“Just the whole thing seems so bizarre it’s like surreal,” said Marinelli. “But he was definitely there waiting for me.”
Marinelli was attacked at 7:30AM on Tuesday just north of Sunset Boulevard.
Luckily for the distressed dog owner, security footage captured the attack and suspect’s car.
Dog Owner Beaten & Dragged By Getaway Car
This is just the latest instance of targeted thefts on French bulldog owners, the most infamous attack happening in February when Lady Gaga’s dog walker was shot by thieves who went after her French bulldogs. https://t.co/1hoAzJbrF7
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) December 29, 2021
“I have burn marks all the way from my lower back all the way down my lower leg,” Marinelli said. “All the skin was ripped off my legs. I had a big bump on my head that I had to get a C.A.T. scan for and more abrasions on my arms and legs.
He was dragged by the black getaway car.
There have been numerous attacks on French Bulldog owners due to the “designer dog” breed selling for hundreds to thousands of dollars on the black market.
LAPD is currently investigating the assault and dognapping.
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According to CBSN Los Angeles, despite his injuries, Marinelli just hopes those responsible will return his 8-year-old dog, who needs daily medication and is on a special diet.
“He has medical issues and he’s missing a toe,” he said. “He’s not like a Westminster French bulldog.”
There is a $10,000 reward for Luca’s safe return.
He’s also asking for the safe and unharmed return of the elderly dog.
