January 30th, 2008: Duane "Dog" Chapman is officially free from his Mexican legal ordeal. A three-judge panel in Mexico unanimously ruled on Tuesday, January 29th, that the criminal charges against Dog, his son, Leland Chapman, and his close friend, Tim Chapman, must be dismissed; they cannot be extradited to Mexico to face criminal charges for their 2003 capture of serial rapist and fugitive Andrew Luster.

Andrew Luster, the famed heir to the Max Factor cosmetics fortune, had been convicted of drugging and raping three women over a four year span. During his trial in 2003, Luster fled the country, leading to an international manhunt. In June 2003, Dog and his team tracked the fugitive Luster in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he was living under an alias, and seized him. Luster was handed over to the United States government by Mexican officials. He was subsequently found guilty and is currently serving a 124 year prison sentence.

However, as Mexican law does not permit private individuals to engage in bounty hunting on their own, Dog, Tim and Leland were arrested by the Mexican authorities, but were later released and they returned to the United States. In February 2007, US Marshals took all three men into custody on an extradition warrant stemming from the 2003 charges. The extradition warrant was dismissed in 2007 and the the criminal charges in Mexico have also now been dismissed.

August 3rd, 2007: As reported, on July 30th, the First Criminal Court in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico dismissed all criminal charges pending against Dog, Tim and Leland Chapman on the grounds that the statute of limitations had expired. However, A&E has learned that Dog and his Posse are not in the clear quite yet. Although the cancellation of the warrant still stands, on August 1st, an appeal was filed by the prosecution to overturn the lower court's decision. A&E has been told that in Mexico, rulings against the prosecution are generally appealed as a matter of principle. In the meantime, our thoughts and best wishes are with the Chapman family as they await the outcome of the appeal which could take many months.

More information will be posted here at aetv.com as it becomes available.

June 22, 2007: DOG'S BOOK AVAILABLE AUGUST 7th!

Duane "Dog" Chapman entertains and inspires millions on "Dog the Bounty Hunter", his #1-rated show on A&E -- but there is more to his story. From troubled beginnings and tragedy to triumph and transformation, he reveals all for the first time in this no-holds-barred memoir.

Dog spent the first twenty-three years of his life on the wrong side of the law. In You Can Run, but You Can't Hide, he offers an inside look at his days as a gang member; his dark years of addiction and abuse; and how serving eighteen months in prison for a murder he didn't commit helped him recommit to his faith. He also shares stories of some of his most dangerous bounty hunts -- including his capture of Max Factor heir and convicted rapist Andrew Luster, which made international headlines.

In You Can Run, but You Can't Hide, Dog recounts his incredible story, chronicling his journey from his onetime criminal past to the guiding faith that has led him to become one of the most successful bounty hunters in American history. Against all odds, Dog turned his life around and went from ex-con to American icon in the process. This is his story.

"Bounty hunting isn't your average nine-to-five job. But then, I'm not your average guy. I have had guns pointed in my face so many times I've lost count. I have been stabbed, beaten, scratched, beat up, and hit with every imaginable (and unimaginable) weapon of choice. I've been tossed through windows, pushed through walls, and shoved through doors. Does that make me a tough guy? You bet. Bounty hunting is definitely not for the faint of heart. But I don't do it to prove I'm tougher or smarter than some other guy. I do it because I have been there. I have been the bad guy. I know firsthand how messed up the system can be. Despite it all, I still believe in truth and justice. My name is Duane Lee Chapman. My friends call me Dog, Dog the Bounty Hunter" --from You Can Run, but You Can't Hide

March 7, 2007: Hawaii State Legislature calls emergency hearing to support Dog the Bounty Hunter trio and fight their extradition. Last month, Representative Gene Ward (Rep.Hawai,i Kai-Kalama Valley) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 50, requesting that the Hawaii State Legislature stand up and support the Chapmans, and ask the government and courts of Mexico to drop their extradition proceedings against them. Duane "Dog" Chapman committed to personally appear before the International Affairs Committee which is hearing the measure. Once Resolution 50 passes the committee, it will be referred to the House Judiciary Committee for a second hearing, and then is expected to move forward to passage.

Ward said he has been receiving testimony "from all over the world on this issue." Ward added, "It is not something the people of Hawaii and the nation are taking lightly; the Dog needs to be free from a Mexican jail."

Dog, his wife and partner Beth Chapman, Tim, Leland, and the rest of the Chapman family will be in attendance at the hearing.

"We are humbled and extremely grateful to Rep. Ward and the entire Hawaii State Legislature for stepping forward with this resolution," said Chapman. "It means so much because this is our home and we love Hawaii, so to have such an official show of support like this is overwhelming. God bless them for giving us hope during this challenging time, despite their already busy schedules. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"

February 16, 2007: An Associated Press report out of Guadalajara, Mexico stated that a Mexican federal court has denied Duane "Dog" Chapman's injunction request and has ruled that the star of A&E's "Dog the Bounty Hunter" should be extradited and stand trial for deprivation of liberty - a charge stemming from Dog and his posse's 2003 capture of convicted serial rapist, Andrew Luster in Puerto Vallarta.

Mexican authorities had asked for Chapman's extradition from Hawaii and U.S. Marshals took Dog, son Leland Chapman and associate Tim Chapman into custody back on September 14th for their role in bringing Luster to justice. Dog, Leland and Tim were released on bail and have been awaiting a ruling on their request to stop the extradition proceedings, which would otherwise require them to face trial in Mexico.

"Our attorneys have not even been formally informed of the court's decision, as of yet," Dog and wife Beth Chapman said. "We are obviously deeply disappointed and fearful of what will happen, and are currently absorbing the news and discussing our options at this time."

Andrew Luster, the notorious heir to the Max Factor cosmetics fortune, was convicted of drugging and raping three women over a four year span. During his trial in 2003, Luster fled the country, leading to an international manhunt. In June 2003, Dog and his team tracked the fugitive Luster in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he was living under an alias, and seized him. Luster was subsequently found guilty in the US and is currently serving a 124 year prison sentence. At that time,in June 2003, Dog, Tim and Leland were arrested by the Mexican authorities for unlawful deprivation of liberty and released on bail.