On Monday (December 5), James Howard Jackson, the man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog sitter Ryan Fischer and stole two of her dogs earlier last year, was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Authorities said it was a coincidence that the French bulldogs were Lady Gaga’s dogs. The motive is said to have been solely the value of bulldogs, a breed that can cost several thousand dollars.
One shot and two dogs by Lady Gaga
Jackson drove with two other people through Hollywood, the city of West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley on February 24, 2021, “in search of French bulldogs,” according to prosecutors. While driving, the trio spotted Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, and their three pets. Jackson shot Fischer during the robbery, which took two of the dogs away.
A nearby camera recorded Fischer yelling “Oh my god! I got shot! Help me! I’m bleeding out of my chest!” yelled. The dog sitter survived, but declared online a few days later that he “nearly escaped death”. Gaga’s dogs were returned after a few days by a woman who has also been charged with the crime.
The musician has performed on a few tracks from the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack this year, which can be heard here: