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 6 of 8) Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. Dog may have caught Luster, and I'm glad someone did, but at the same time he has to operate within the law just like anyone else. So while I'm sorry he's having these problems, the truth is that he brought the problems on himself by not following the rules about bounty hunting.

Dog knew he could not cross international boundaries to nab a bounty. However, he could have called in the Mexican police when he located the guy, and he wouldn't have gotten into any trouble at all for that. However, he wouldn't have made any money from doing this legally, so he chose to hold himself above the law.. Of course, the fact that he's a self-absorbed narcissist also stopped him from calling in Mexican authorities. He wanted all the credit for nabbing the guy, because it feeds his oversized ego.

The only reason he got busted for this at all is that he was yelling and carrying on like he does on his show, and the Mexican Policia wanted to know what all the ruckus was about. Had he acted like a real bounty hunter, and removed the guy as quietly as possible, he could have gotten away with it. But no, he had to play for the cameras as always, and his own actions came back to bite the Dog (pun intended) because he refused to follow the rules.

Posted at 3:22PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Puh-lease

77. This makes me so mad! And it also makes me feel great about not living in the US. Someone should put that stupid judge in the same jail with these great guys, he wants a vacation so let him enjoy his free time in jail with Dog and his team. That way he'll know what it's like to be put in jail for an unfair and stupid reason! I'm sure another judge can take Dog's case but this dumbass wants attention! I can't believe this.

God bless Dog and his family. Justice will prevail!

Posted at 2:50PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Me

78. Here the thing he hasn't bad mounthed the US on the talk show circuit. He has stated fact about his dealings with the US and I find it funny they could of gotten Luster and chose not too. But he did and now that is a bad thing.

Let's ask all 87 victims for his crimes and she if they are happy with how the US has handled this. They feel safer because of DOG so why is that a crime when Mexico doesn't see it that way.

Posted at 3:41PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Kay

79. Dog and Beth...hang in there...Just like you told Duane on your wedding day..."this blood don't run!" Praying for you and your family for a swift end to this nighmare.

Posted at 3:34PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Jan in MI

80. Me wrote: "Someone should put that stupid judge in the same jail with these great guys, he wants a vacation so let him enjoy his free time in jail with Dog and his team."

Uh, Dog and his team were released long ago. They're not in jail. They weren't there for very long anyway, they just blew it all out of proportion for attention.. Eventually the US government apparently convinced Mexican authorities to drop charges. Mexico sure didn't drop charges because they're afraid of bad publicity from loudmouth, er, I meant, Dog, since countries don't care about publicity.

However, the US should finish its investigation into this situation, since it involves international relations. Dog does not have the right to act in any way which would jeopardize our extradition agreement with another country, but that's exactly what he did.

Most of all, people need to stop making him out to be a hero who is above the law. Heroes do things without expecting a reward for having done it. Dog not only hunted the guy down illegally, he applied to collect the multi-million dollar bounty. That's not a hero. That's a bounty hunter, and there is a huge difference between the two no matter what reality TV would have us believe.

Posted at 3:49PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Dog Is No Hero

81. FREE THE DOG!!!! FREE THE DOG!!! FREE THE DOG!!! FREE THE DOG!!!

This makes me totally sick!!! Andrew Luster is a freakin' horrible monster!!! I'm glad that Dog & his pack put his sorry a$$ behind bars where it belongs!!! Dog, Tim & Leland deserve medals not headaches for the service they have done for this country & the VICTIMS (let's not forget about them!!) of Andrew Luster! May Luster get his just deserves in prison!

Yes, Dog is a "convicted felon", but do not forget...he served the time that was given him. He has kept himself out of trouble since then, hasn't he? That is the true measure of whether someone is truly a criminal...unlike Luster, Dog has NOT committed more crimes. Dog's time in prison was over THREE decades ago. Who were you 3 decades ago? Where you a good law-abiding citizen? Or were you even born yet? And would you like to be judged for the rest of your life by what you did in your late-teens/early 20s? I don't think so!! You judge a the value of a person by their actions, just like you judge a plant by it's blooms/fruit.

FREE THE DOG!!!! FREE THE DOG!!! FREE THE DOG!!! FREE THE DOG!!!

Also was he the one who pulled the trigger or was it the other guy? Many times, just being at the scene gets ya convicted. I've looked for more info on his sentence & time in prison without too much luck. I didn't find much, so I'm not sure what the whole story behind his prison time really is. But the way I see it, cops, judges & even wardens have applauded his work & who he has become.

Lastly, who else would you want chasing down ice-heads, wife-beaters, & other criminals? Someone in a 3-piece suit? Or someone who knows how the think & how to blend in? Someone like Dog. I personally would feel much safer with someone like Dog around!!!

FREE THE DOG!!!! FREE THE DOG!!! FREE THE DOG!!! FREE THE DOG!!!

Posted at 3:55PM on Aug 20th 2007 by glynne64

82. One more reason to be proud to be American. *rolls eyes*

Our government is a disgrace to the world. This country is run by rich people with old money who are dumber than the middle class they alienate and suppress.

So what is it going to take for America to bond together and bring back real democracy?

Posted at 3:44PM on Aug 20th 2007 by 'Chele

83. #4 u're so right, FREE DOG

Posted at 4:02PM on Aug 20th 2007 by yajaira

84. Dog Is No Hero,
Duane Chapman isn't considered a hero due to his profession, rather he is a hero to those who see how he changed his life and his impact on miilions of other lives. Dog gives hope to those who don't have any and he is a great example for lost souls. It may be hard to comprehend but the status of Bounty Hunter and TV star only helps to promote a very positive message around the world. Dog did help bring justice for 87+ women and families but that is not the single reason people see him as a personal hero.

Posted at 4:05PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Smith

85. OH GEEEZUS!!!! LARD,,, help your followers like they say you do all the time for them!

Posted at 5:54PM on Aug 23rd 2007 by Life

86. CALL THIS NUMBER NOW!! 808-541-1306!!/BARRY KURREN/JUDGE

SPEAK YOUR MIND!!! PLEASE REPOST EVERYWHERE! FREE DOG!!!

Posted at 5:29PM on Aug 20th 2007 by SMACKAVELI

87. MAYBE THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON REMOVING ALL OF THE ILLEGALS FROM OUR COUNTRY AND LEAVE THIS MAN ALONE. THIS STINKS BIG TIME. FREE THE DOG.

Posted at 6:34PM on Aug 20th 2007 by BUILD THE WALL HIGHER AND WITH CONCERTINA

88. I would bring charges against Dawg just for his mullett.....should be 30 to life.

Posted at 6:14PM on Aug 20th 2007 by TBA

89. To #75,

Get your facts straight he was not hooping and hollerign like he does on TV, others saw Luster being grabbed and put into a van and called the police.

As for Dog I feel your a credit to be the caring Bounty Hunter that you are. I also feel that the US government needs to pull their heads out of the sand and give the guy a medal for what he did not refuse to drop the charges against him. I think they are just jealous and made the government look like a bunch of fools for getting Luster something they were unable to do.

If it wasn't for Dog Luster would still be on the loose raping and video taping unsuspecting women for his own sick thrills. His behind should rot in jail and then be burned in hell for what he's done. It goes to show that money doesn't buy class and respect for your fellow human beings. Plus all the money he and his family has couldn't hid him from the long arm of Dog.

I'd like to know why this judge was assigned the case since he's going on vacation till October. Why wouldn't someone with a little common sense reassign the case to another judge who will be able to resolve this issue in a more timely matter,

To Dog and his family my prayers are with you just hang in there and know that you have more people standing behind you in your fight then those whom are against you. Even though I feel our Government is punishing the wrong person. THEY SHOULD JUST DROP THE CASE AGAINST DOG ALREADY and go after some real criminals.

Posted at 6:37PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Angie

90. Cara, Are you kidding me? Obviously, you don't know anyone who has been a victim of crime. Or, perhaps you have been...and have no ounce in your body to forgive anyone... What has made you extremely bitter? Do you not know the good he does for the people in Hawaii? (where he lives) ...and across the nation? This man and his family inspire people to change. They help individuals when no one else will. I hope you're never in a situation where you need help, and no aid comes to you. This man has a heart to help those that most won't even consider helping. What are you gifted with? He's gifted with this... don't knock someone's gifts, when you probably can't even identify your own!!!

Posted at 6:49PM on Aug 20th 2007 by Stacy

Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments