You may have heard that Duane Chapman, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, was arrested recently. It’s quite an ironic story really, and a travesty in my opinion. Accounts indicate that Dog went to Mexico to retrieve Andrew Luster, the Max Factor heir now convicted of being a serial rapist. Luster is currently serving over 120 years in prison for his crimes. The ironic part is that now Chapman may be going to jail for helping bring this man to justice.
There is irony throughout this story. Mexico did not arrest or extradite Luster, leading Chapman to retrieve him, but now –three years later- Mexico wants the Dog extradited. A judge in Hawaii actually signed the arrest warrant, and marshals took Duane, his son Leland, and associate Tim whom Dog refers to as his brother, to prison. It is also rumored that the Chapman’s will now be required to pay back any reward money earned for Luster’s capture.
Dog’s crime? Bail jumping. He became the hunted instead of the hunter. He was arrested in Mexico because bounty hunting is illegal, and then he jumped bail, although he said he was advised to do so. He was told that Mexico would simply keep his bail money and wouldn’t pursue the issue.
Most find it strange that the Mexican government waited three years to pursue charges. It’s not like they didn’t know where Chapman was; he and his associates, along with wife Beth, were on television often being filmed from their home in Hawaii. The reality show came about because of his capture of Luster.
Despite this and much other drama throughout their lives, Duane and Beth are very much in love. Beth was distraught on the A & E Special, The Family Speaks Out, which aired recently. She and Duane have an interesting relationship and are often see bickering, but that never stops them from kissing, hugging, saying I love you, telling each other to be safe, watching each other’s backs, or praying for each other.
Beth said it was Duane’s faith throughout this ordeal that helped keep her faith strong. She’s been working hard and has been very vocal in trying to protect her husband. Her pain is palpable, and one of the most touching scenes in the special program, was her concern over her husband’s state of mind. A former convict who turned over a new leaf, his worst fear was getting in trouble and being sent back to jail. And, now it has come true. It broke her heart that he was being put through such a traumatic experience (on so many levels) for doing what he thought was right, and removing a dangerous man from the public.
Seeing Beth and Duane reunite after he was released from federal prison was very touching. While they aren’t what one would call the typical family, their faith and their love for each other, are very moving.
To learn more, visit the Dog the Bounty Hunter website, or sign a petition to keep Duane Chapman from being extradited to Mexico.