‘Dog’ Chapman's Greatest Pursuit: God

Criminal to Crime Fighter

"Dog," as he likes to be called, is a study in drastic contrasts, both personally and professionally. With his shaggy, long blond locks and tattoos, he’s a brawny brute who evokes fear in fugitives and occasionally, relatives and friends. He’s also known as a gentle giant who is compassionate and kind-hearted—a man who cried because he couldn’t "save" his late wife, Beth, from a painful death due to cancer. He is dedicated to his family and to bringing criminals to justice. Yet, he does not want his legacy to be his celebrity, stardom, or fame. He wants you to remember him for a different reason. His humble beginnings in Denver, CO, tell a story of their own.

Seeds of Hatred Were Planted

Despite the appearance of normalcy, Duane’s home was dark and volatile. His father would beat him black and blue over minor offenses. "I begged him to stop, and the more I cried, the more he beat me to toughen me up."

"My mother was a saint to me. She was patient and taught me about right and wrong, but I never understood why she didn’t stop the beatings. She took me to an Assembly of God church, and I accepted Christ around five or six," Duane says. He loved God as a boy, and people told him he had the gift of knowledge. In school, he was seen as a tender-hearted boy who cried over the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme. They even let him change the lyrics to Humpty being put back together again. Duane says he had a deep hunger for God, but a deep anger festering inside over his father’s beatings. "The anger began to spiral out of control."

A Criminal is Born

Duane dropped out of school in the seventh grade and joined a gang of bikers called “The Devil’s Disciples.” "The bikers accepted me; no one beat me or told me what to do." He was nicknamed "Dog" because he was loyal, a name he prefers to this day. "I was a fighter too, and committed petty crimes—a bona fide juvenile delinquent with a rap sheet. The military enlistment officers were not impressed with my fighting skills when they saw my rap sheet. They turned me down for military service."

At 23, Dog was arrested for third-degree murder and sentenced to five years in Huntsville prison. He was guilty of being at the scene of a crime where a murder was committed. In prison, he earned his GED and made a turn back to God. He worked with his father in a bail bond business. He had sharp instincts and natural charisma that enabled him to track down prisoners, and was nicknamed "Dog" for his relentless pursuit. Later, he preferred the name "Dog" because it was "God" spelled backward.

Turn from the Celebrity Limelight

After 12 years in the limelight, “Dog” felt a stirring within that he was meant to do something else. He continued running his bounty hunter business, but began to accept ministry opportunities. People heard he had a testimony to tell, and they wanted to hear it. After his wife Beth died of cancer, he got active in church and seriously committed his life to Jesus. His mother had prophesied all his life that he would be a preacher, and he had run from the call long enough. Fans saw a glimpse of his faith after he apprehended a criminal, ministering to them in the back of the car, giving them words of encouragement to start again. Now, he was ready for the world to know about the faith he says he squandered for many years and the faith that was starting to shine forth in his life. He asked the Lord to redeem the years he had wasted in crime and in prison.

“Dog” is still a household name and a well-known celebrity, but audiences are learning all about “Dog the Bounty Hunter: 9 Lives and Counting: A Bounty Hunter’s Journey to Faith, Love, and Redemption.” Dog holds nothing back in his testimony and love story to Jesus.

He includes details like finding out that the father who beat him his whole life was not his real father. Reconciled with his stepfather today, he married again after his wife Beth died, and he and his new wife, Francie, travel together to minister the love of Jesus. They support and are involved in several non-charitable organizations for children. He is trying to reconcile with all his kids, saying, “It’s been a long road, but I will keep trying until all is forgiven and everyone is back in the fold.” There were altercations along the way that ended several relationships, but Dog wants all his kids back.

He has no interest in a legacy as a TV star or being known as the best bounty hunter in the world. He just wants to be remembered as “the best servant of Jesus Christ I could be.”

Find out more about Duane "Dog' Chapman (aka the Bounty Hunter) at his website: www.DogtheBountyHunter.com, where you can also purchase his book, "Nine Live and Counting."