Lady Gaga with bright red lipstick and her hair in a bun.
(Photo Credit: Rodin Eckenroth / Stringer / Getty Images)

Lady Gaga Not Obligated to Pay Reward for Stolen Dogs, Judge Rules

A Los Angeles judge ruled that Lady Gaga is off the hook for the $500,000 reward after the safe return of her stolen French Bulldogs. The ruling comes in response to a breach of contract lawsuit filed by Jennifer McBride. She is one of the individuals charged in connection with the 2021 violent dognapping. McBride pleaded no contest to receiving stolen property related to the gunpoint robbery that left Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, shot and severely injured.

McBride argued the reward for Lady Gaga’s stolen dogs was a “unilateral” agreement. Therefore, she contended she was entitled to the payment regardless of the circumstances. However, Judge Holly J. Fujie agreed with Gaga’s attorneys, stating that McBride — being involved in the crime — could not profit from her participation. The judge highlighted that the claims made by McBride were directly linked to her admitted wrongdoing in the criminal case.

McBride is one of five individuals charged in the incident that occurred on February 24, 2021. On that date, Gaga’s Bulldogs — Koji and Gustav — were stolen at gunpoint. Prosecutors said the singer was not specifically targeted. The motive behind the robbery was the theft of her highly-valuable French Bulldogs.

Gaga’s legal team swiftly moved to dismiss McBride’s case. As of now, there have been no comments from either side regarding the judge’s ruling.

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