ANIMAL charity PETA has warned celeb dog owners to be vigilant after Lady Gaga’s two French bulldogs were stolen at gunpoint in LA. Dognapping is on the rise in the UK too as thieves target pricey pooches they can sell for large sums. A PETA spokesman told The Sun: “Dognapping is at alarmingly epidemic proportions […]
ANIMAL charity PETA has warned celeb dog owners to be vigilant after Lady Gaga’s two French bulldogs were stolen at gunpoint in LA.
Dognapping is on the rise in the UK too as thieves target pricey pooches they can sell for large sums.
A PETA spokesman told The Sun: “Dognapping is at alarmingly epidemic proportions because thieves know that ‘purebred’ and the latest ‘designer’ dogs – such as those purchased and promoted by some celebrities or influencers – sell for pricey sums, and they don’t give a damn about the emotional bonds between the dogs and their humans.”
Gaga’s beloved dogs Koji and Gustav were pinched while being walked at night by Ryan Fischer in Hollywood.
The dogwalker, who has been called a ‘hero’, was shot in the chest and left for dead. He is currently recovering hospital.
A mystery woman returned the dogs on Friday, but it’s unknown if she will receive the $500,000 reward offered by Gaga, who is currently filming a movie in Rome.
Meanwhile, here in the UK more and more people are falling victim to dog theft, with numbers if incidents up 170 per cent since the first lockdown.
The demand for certain breeds, such as Beagles, has also seen prices skyrocket.
“PETA reminds everyone to microchip their animal companions, keep that information up to date, and maintain a watchful eye on their animals, acting swiftly if one goes missing,” said the charity.
“If the worst happens, it’s imperative to contact the police as well as local animal shelters and veterinarians immediately, put up posters, and even get the media involved.
“Those who pay for puppies in pet stores and online – rather than looking to legitimate rescue groups and animal shelters – contribute to problems like theft and fuel the greedy pet trade, denying homeless animals the chance to find love and security.”
