Dog the Bounty Hunter Biography

The Dog the Bounty Hunter biography is extensive and often intense, as “Dog” is a man who has lived and loved in the criminal-chasing fast lane for decades.

“Dog,” legally known as Duane Falkroy Chapman, was born in Denver on Feburary 2, 1953. While famously known for his long-running A&E Network television show Dog the Bounty Hunter, Chapman has also been on the other side of the fence when it comes to crime. Now a born-again Christian committed to catching fugitives and promoting safe neighborhoods, Chapman was a gang member in the 1970s and was convicted in court for the murder of a man. While Chapman has never admitted guilt to the murder, he has reportedly considered himself to be responsible for not reporting the killing to the police when he had a chance. After being sentenced to prison for five years, he was released on probation at 18 months.

With all of this happening before his 25th birthday, it would seem as if Chapman were headed for a rocky future. His early years also involved child support disputes with an ex wife, and ironically this is how his bounty hunting career began. When he came to court and confessed he did not have enough money to pay his back support, the judge asked him to catch a fugitive in lieu of the money. Successful at catching the criminal, Chapman went into business as a bondsman.

Chapman’s first bonds business was based in Denver, and he later moved to Hawaii with his five oldest children. He returned to Colorado following his mother’s death and helped his sister to start her own bondsman company, and then he returned to Hawaii to expand his business onto various islands. Before the expansion he married Beth Chapman, who shared his passion for bounty hunting.

Today, Dog’s business is family-run and includes not only Beth but his sons Duane Lee and Leland as well. One of his daughters and other family members are also involved in the bounty industry, and have been featured on the A&E program along with close friends and loyal acquaintances.

While some bail businesses have disapproved of Chapman’s combative approach to capturing the bad guys, television viewers across the nation have fallen in love with the Chapman family and have supported Dog’s business methods through some significantly difficult times.

While Dog has done a lot of good in his field, he has also experienced his share of troubles despite his positive outlook and strong family values. In 2003 he captured Andrew Luster, who had fled to Mexico to avoid multiple rape convictions. Despite numerous attempts by the Mexican government to extradite Chapman and his sons who assisted in the hunt, they were finally freed of all charges in 2007.

Chapman’s second brush with misfortune came the same year this first legal issue was resolved. In this instance, he was tape recorded using extremely offensive language, including racial slurs against African-Americans. His son was dating a black girl and Dog voiced his concern over having her spending time with the family as they have playfully used racial slurs in the past. His concern was warranted, as it spurred a national outcry when his son turned around and sold the tape to a leading U.S. tabloid.

Again, luck was on Dog’s side, as leading racial equality players met with Dog and Beth and realized that much of what was recorded was taken out of context. Dog the Bounty Hunter had already been pulled off the airwaves, but thanks to support from big legal players and a petition of viewer signatures, the show was brought back with new episodes in mid 2008. Today, Dog the Bounty Hunter is enjoying its 6th season on A&E.

Outside of press reports and his nationally televised TV show, he recently released the autobiography “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide.” The book gives an inside perspective of both the bounty hunting business and Dog’s personal experiences. Personally autographed copies are available for purchase through Dog’s official website, and can make the perfect gift for any Duane Chapman fan..

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