Lady Gaga's two French bulldogs have been returned safely, LAPD says

Lady Gaga pleads for \'an act of kindess\' and the safe return of her dogs, who were stolen this week in a violent attack. - Instagram /Lady Gaga

Originally Published: 26 FEB 21 18:04 ET

Updated: 26 FEB 21 22:44 ET

By Chloe Melas and Stephanie Elam, CNN

    (CNN) -- The two French bulldogs violently stolen from Lady Gaga's dogwalker have been returned safely, the Los Angeles Police Department said Friday.

The dogs, named Koji and Gustav, were taken after two assailants attacked and shot the dog walker in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles.

The dog walker is listed in critical condition. He is expected to recover, LAPD Captain Stacy Spell said.

Earlier Friday, the entertainer commented about the violent attack .

"My beloved dogs Koji and Gustav were taken in Hollywood two nights ago," Gaga wrote in an Instagram post on Friday. "My heart is sick and I am praying my family will be whole again with an act of kindness. I will pay $500,000 for their safe return."

"If you bought or found them unknowingly, the reward is the same," Gaga added.

The police department is examining surveillance video showing the attack.

The footage, recorded by a home surveillance camera and obtained by CNN, shows the man walking on what police identified as Sierra Bonita Avenue in Hollywood when a light-colored sedan slows and stops next to him.

At least two individuals can be seen exiting the vehicle, accosting the dog walker as a physical altercation ensues. The footage also contains vivid audio in which the victim can be heard telling the attackers, "No, no" as he struggles with the men.

One attacker restrains the victim, as the other appears to point a gun. A gunshot can be heard, and the victim falls backward as the assailants race back to the car.

"Oh my God, oh my God, help me," the man shouts before the car drives off. As neighbors rush to the man's aid, he continues to scream for help, saying he's been shot in the heart and lungs and that two dogs have been stolen.

In an interview with CNN Friday morning, Lady Gaga's father said the dog walker is a close friend of his daughter. He remains hospitalized but is "recovering well," a source close to the singer told CNN on Thursday.

"You risked your life to fight for our family," Gaga said of her friend in her post. "You're forever a hero."

The-CNN-Wire
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