Nic Cage has friends in high places ... TMZ has learned it was Duane "Dog" Chapman who posted the bond for Cage today.


As TMZ first reported, Cage was arrested this morning in New Orleans on charges of domestic violence and disturbing the peace after an alleged argument with his wife Alice.

Sources tell TMZ they were the ones who helped get Nic out of jail -- he was being held on $11,000 bond.

Beth alluded to the bail out, posting on her Twitter, "My guy just walked out of the jail damn new Orleans 8 hours holy cow that's a lot of time to Process one guy."

We just talked to Beth Chapman, who gave us the blow-by-blow of last night's crazy perp chase -- and she says it all started when the guy almost ran Dog over with his truck.



Beth says the "Bounty Hunter" crew found the perp sitting in his truck last night. She says when the dude spotted Dog approaching, he stepped on the gas -- forcing Dog to dive out of the way.

Beth says she tailed the guy, and then saw him take a turn too fast and flip his ride. She says he jumped out of the truck and took off through a field on foot.

It worked -- the dude is still at large.

Duane 'Dog' Chapman told Larry King last night why he thinks cops haven't found physical evidence at the scene of Tuesday's shooting incident: the alleged gunman used a revolver (which doesn't eject shells) and then ditched it when he fled the scene.

Beth Chapman wants everyone to know yesterday's alleged shooting incident was the real deal -- despite a lack of physical evidence -- because there are multiple witnesses who can back up their story.

Beth tells us Duane "Dog" Chapman and the crew knew Hoang Nguyen was going to be a tough capture before they even went after him, because they were under the impression he was "dangerous" and a "known runner."

Mrs. Chapman says when "Dog's" team arrived at the Colorado Springs apartment complex where Hoang was holed up, 15-20 people were watching -- and when the alleged shot was fired she says the crowd had ballooned to around twice that size. The picture below was taken shortly after the shooting.

Despite the current lack of physical evidence -- like a gun, bullet hole or shell casing -- Nguyen was booked for attempted homicide.

Most kids celebrate their 21st birthday with an all-night bender ending with a prayer to the porcelain god -- but not Dog Chapman's daughter Lyssa ... she spent hers with her dad. A bounty hunter.

At least he can post her bail.

Duane "Dog" Chapman, wife Beth, son Leland and former partner Tim have all filed suit against a lawyer who they say not only effed up their case, he took them for a ton o' cash!

In the lawsuit, filed Friday in Orange County Superior Court, the Chapmans say they hired attorney William Bollard to help get them out of the serious Mexican jam they were in. They say Bollard claimed to be an experto in Mexican law -- with tons of connections there -- but turned out to be far from it.

According to the suit, not only did Bollard totally bungle their case, he "repeatedly" asked for massive amounts of cash, threatening if the Chapmans didn't pay up, they would immediately be thrown in the carcel!

The Chapmans have thrown a litany of complaints at this lawyer, including legal malpractice, breach of contract and infliction of emotional distress and are asking a judge to award them damages.

Bollard could not be reached for comment.

Fugitives can rest easy -- for the moment! Dog and Beth Chapman arrived at LAX yesterday, with a whole litter of their kids, fresh off some bounty huntin'. Dog's voice was gone from barking at criminals, so Beth had to take charge and do all the talking.


Like most wives.

Dog Chapman's wife Beth was glad to blab about the new season of their show -- but quickly turned less vocal when asked about their son's recent arrest.


Tucker -- the same son who leaked those infamous phone calls to the National Enquirer -- was busted last week on a parole violation. Beth gave TMZ a little insight though, telling us she was "sorry" about him being jailed.