Celebrity Justice
Dog Free in Mexico -- Leashed in USA!

Just when Duane "Dog" Chapman thought his legal nightmare was over, a US judge threw a major wrench into his freedom plans.
Duane Dog Chapman
As TMZ first reported last week, a Mexican trial judge threw out all charges against Dog and his associates. But TMZ has learned that the US Office of International Affairs, despite an 11-month interim since Chapman's arrest, has issued an order not to release the bond because they need "more time" to work on the case. The US Magistrate judge also told the Chapmans they were out of luck -- the judge is going on vacation through October -- and won't be able to deal with the matter until then. See ya in the fall, Dog!

Dog and wife Beth told TMZ that they were "devastated." "We love this country," they said, "and are proud to be Americans, so this is absolutely devastating that we can now roam free in Mexico, but not in our own country."

Free the Dog!



Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 8) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. Bad dog, bad dog..whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?. Bad dog, Bad, dog.

Posted at 11:36AM on Aug 20th 2007 by Roger C

17. God Bless the Dog!!!
All fans should contact their State Representative and Congressmen/women to plead Dog'scase. This is terrible injustice- fight it!

Posted at 11:42AM on Aug 20th 2007 by amanda

18. Leave the DOG CHAPMAN Alone let him get criminals

Posted at 9:17PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Glenn

19. Dog nab it!

Posted at 11:39AM on Aug 20th 2007 by acnhbtr

20. He might be a nice guy and all but seriously, that hair.

Posted at 11:41AM on Aug 20th 2007 by Paris hater

21. The dog and his family just need to be set free. He did everyone a big favor.

BTW His book is awesome!!!

Love you Dog your in our prayers!!!!

Posted at 11:58AM on Aug 20th 2007 by tk

22. They allow illegal aliens to go without bail, and do not deport, but this guy can not get his bail eliminated due to a conflict with a judge. Other judges take up cases for those who are absent, this is a simple hearing on dropped charges. No charges, no bail.

Posted at 11:49AM on Aug 20th 2007 by dan

23. Um, why do they have to wait until the judge gets back from vacation (October! must be nice) but surely there's more than one qualified judge. Just makes my mind go off in directions like...if this judge were to suddenly retire or quit and not finish the case, does that leave all 'his' cases in permanent limbo? Or do they all go free? Or all go to jail?

Posted at 11:54AM on Aug 20th 2007 by kkt

24. That's what ya get, when you come to the defense of Paris Hilton! Bad Karma! Haha!

Posted at 11:48AM on Aug 20th 2007 by Too bad!

25. Something is surely wrong with the Justice System in this country.
Free the Dog.
Everyone should stand behind this man.

Posted at 11:50AM on Aug 20th 2007 by truthtalker

26. I guess the judge wants his name in the public eye & 10 minutes of fame.....all to interview for his own t.v. court show, along with that cry-baby judge in Florida, who was presiding over Anna's case

Posted at 11:51AM on Aug 20th 2007 by hollywood

27. GOOD! At least someone will make him follow the law. He's a convicted FELON!!!! WHY is this man out acting like he's some sort of saint when he's been in prison for YEARS!!!!???? He's a KILLER and he broke the law, they should throw the book at him, he wasn't out after a rapist, he was out for the seek of fame and fortune when he went into Mexico and he should pay the price for breaking the law just like anyone else would. He's no better than any of the other criminals he works with.

Posted at 11:54AM on Aug 20th 2007 by Cara

28. Mike -- I don't know which laws you are referencing, but the laws of search and seizure do not apply when a bounty hunter does it because the alleged perp waived those rights when they got bail from a bail bondsman.

I think Dog is getting screwed......this is why normal, law-abiding citizens want to avoid jury duty -- the judicial system may be the best we've got, but it is far from perfect.

Posted at 11:55AM on Aug 20th 2007 by Britney is a Skank

29. Too bad the "Dog," didn't try to smuggle in drugs and marijuana, Then they would let him go. How convienient the judge goes on vacation until October. Bush, goes on vacation, Government in Iraq, shuts down, because it's too hot. I guess the heat doesn't bother our service men. NO VACATION FOR THEM!!!!! It's time for a wakeup call for America. Hopefully, someone will find a way.
God Bless us all and especially, God bless America.

Posted at 11:59AM on Aug 20th 2007 by gingergirl

30. what political party does the judge belong to - dem /rep? Also the vacation time of judges is what we the people have allowed with our votes. Dog will do all right. maybe he can find out why with all the freebies given to the citizens in Mexico the people still flee here to USA? We were in Mexico & were told by government guides that they (the people had free Education free Medical Freedom of LIFE LIBERTY & PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. So maybe DOG can investigate & see where we are going wrong. Enjoy you vacation DO.

Posted at 11:59AM on Aug 20th 2007 by mozart

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