Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:40:45 PM PDT
Hawaiian Lawmakers Throw Dog A Bone

by Josh Grossberg

Call it a Doggy treat.

Duane "Dog" Chapman, the star of A&E's hit reality series, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and his wife, Beth, were honored Tuesday by lawmakers in their native Hawaii for all of their crime fighting efforts over the years.

This despite the fact that the 53-year-old Chapman, his 29-year-old son, Leland and business associate Timothy Chapman (no relation) are facing extradition to Mexico to face charges for nabbing a fugitive rapist there.

The Aloha state legislature recently passed a declaration introduced by Representative Gene Ward, call for recognition of the Chapmans' contributions to Hawaii, singling out their hard work and dedication to catching more than 6,000 bail-jumping crooks.

Dog's most notable capture was undoubtedly the collaring of Max Factor heir Andrew Luster in 2003. The snare subsequently landed him his own A&E TV show, which is currently the cable channel's most-watched program.

Last month, that particular case led a Mexican court to rule in favor of having Chapman shipped south of the border to face trial on one count of "deprivation of liberty" in violation of the country's anti-bounty-hunting law. That decision was roundly condemned by Hawaiian lawmakers, fans and even members of Congress, who said the reality star was only carrying out justice when he apprehended Luster, who was hiding out in Puerta Vallarta after he was convicted of sexually assaulting three women in California.

Tuesday's declaration praised Chapman for never using a gun while doing his job as well as for treating his captures humanely by praying with them and offering them sage advice once he's taken them into custody.

It also extolled the bounty hunter for turning his own life around after he was convicted in 1977 of being an accessory to murder and served five years in prison, noting that the former biker gang member has since become a positive role model in the Hawaiian community, visiting local schools to speak out against drugs and crime and donating his time to aid various local charities and causes.

After the commendation ceremony, the reality star thanked the officials behind the measure as well as all the fans who have supported him and his family through their current legal imbrolgio.

"I hate to say this, but for felons and ex-cons, I'm their president. What I do, they shall follow," Chapman said. "I'm the poster child for rehabilitation in America."

Two weeks ago, Ward and other Hawaiian politicians showed further support for Chapman by unanimously passing a resolution calling on the Mexican government to drop its extradition efforts. That came after legislators received over 1,000 letters in Dog's favor.

More than 200,000 fans have also signed a petition urging the same thing as part of a "Free Dog" campaign on Chapman's Website.

The Chapmans' legal troubles when they were arrested by Mexican police after catching Luster. They fled the country after posting bail, leading to a warrant for their arrest.

Last September, U.S. Marshals acting on behalf of Mexican authorities took Chapman and his cohorts into custody at their Hawaiian home base, holding the trio overnight at a federal detention center. Following a hearing the next day, Chapman was released after posting a $300,000 bond. His companions each posted $100,000 bonds.

Federal agents in Hawaii haven't indicated whether or not they'll act on Mexico's extradition request. If convicted, the men could face up to four years in a Mexican prison.

But Chapman's Honolulu-based lawyer, Brook Hart, indicated the thrice-divorced father of 12 planned to appeal the Mexican court's ruling. The legal eagle also said Chapman would be happy to formally apologize to Mexican officials, pay any fines the court deems appropriate, as well as forfeit the bond he posted three years ago and make a donation to charity.


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