Lady Gaga's Dog Walker Speaks Out After Attack: 'Your Babies Are Back'
In a 2-part series of Instagram posts, Ryan Fischer talks about the attack and all the support he’s received since
Last week, Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was shot in a horrifying attack that ended in serious injury for him and the singer’s dogs being taken. The dogs have since been returned, but Fischer continues recovering in the hospital and is now speaking out about what he went through that awful day.
“4 days ago, while a car sped away and blood poured from my gun shot wound, an angel trotted over and laid next to me. My panicked screams calmed as I looked at her, even though it registered that the blood pooling around her tiny body was my own,” Fischer began his heartfelt post describing what happened on February 24th, 2021.
Fischer adds heartbreaking detail about waiting for help while holding the only one of Gaga’s three dogs that he was walking that day who wasn’t taken by the person that shot him. “I cradled Asia as best I could, thanked her for all the incredible adventures we’d been on together, apologized that I couldn’t defend her brothers, and then resolved that I would still try to save them… and myself,” he wrote.
Gaga’s other two dogs, Koji and Gustav, were kidnapped and later returned to the singer after she offered a reward of $500,000 via a plea on Instagram.
Fischer continues: “Hopeful that my calm(ish) and forceful pleas for the urgency of my care as well as the focused descriptions of the dogs would be enough to help me and get enough police and media attention to find the boys, I looked backed at my guardian angel. I smiled at her shaking form, thankful that at least she would be okay,” he writes.
In a second post, Fischer spoke out to thank those who have supported him through his terrifying ordeal. “I am still in recovery from a very close call with death and have kept myself (for the most part, I mean I am human) from the growing media story,” he shares. “I will write and say more later, but the gratitude for all the love I feel from around this planet is immense and intense.”
Fischer also shares how grateful he is that the “attention and focus from the police were enough to get Koji and Gustav back to safety, and I know they are committed to bringing these criminals and attempted murderers to justice. I am so appreciative of everything you continue to do.”
He thanks friends and family for their support and also mentions the clients and their pups who have kept him smiling as he recovers. “All the dog videos and photos from my clients to keep my spirits up worked miracles. Seeing their faces light up when you said my name motivates me to keep pushing so I can play with them and see you again soon,” he says. And he couldn’t end his post without thanking the people who are helping nurse him back to health. “First responders and health care workers: you literally saved my life and helped me take newborn walks, I can’t thank you enough,” he gushes. And to Gaga he says: “your babies are back and the family is whole… we did it!”
He also gives the performer a special shoutout for being his rock during the horrifying fallout of the attack. “You have shown so much support throughout this whole crisis to both me and my family. But your support as a friend, despite your own traumatic loss from your kids, was unwavering. I love you and thank you.”
Fischer is now focusing on healing but says he hopes to see the pups again soon. “… I look forward to the future and the moment when I get bombarded with kisses and licks (and maybe even an excitement pee?) from Asia, Koji, and Gustav.”
