Dog looks to be headed to the pound after all.
A federal court in Mexico has ordered Duane "Dog" Chapman to be extradited to Mexico to face charges stemming from his collar of a fugitive rapist.
Per the Honolulu Advertiser, the second district court in Guadalajara denied a request by the reality star's legal team for an injunction preventing him from being shipped south of the border. The court ruled that Chapman should face trial on one count of "deprivation of liberty" in violation of the country's anti-bounty-hunting statutes.
"We only just heard about the Mexican court's decision to continue with the extradition proceedings, and are still in shock," Mona Wood, the family's spokeswoman, said in a statement. "We are obviously deeply disappointed and fearful of what will happen, and are currently absorbing the news and discussing our options at this time. However, they still need some time to absorb this shocking and devastating news."
Chapman, 53, son Leland, 29, and business associate Timothy Chapman (no relation), 41, are in hot water for the 2003 capture of Andrew Luster, the Max Factor heir who was hiding out in Puerta Vallarta after being convicted of sexually assaulting three women in California.
Hours after apprehending Luster, the three men were arrested by Mexican police. After posting bail, they bolted the country and an arrest warrant was issued.
Luster, however, was returned to California and is now serving a 124-year prison sentence. Publicity surrounding the capture made Dog's day; A&E gave him a series that chronicled his exploits as a devoted family man and head of Da Kine Bail Bonds.
Last September, U.S. marshals acting on behalf of Mexican authorities arrested Chapman and his cohorts at their Hawaiian home base. The trio was held overnight at a federal detention center and, after a hearing, Chapman was released the next day after posting a $300,000 bond. His companions each posted $100,000 bonds.
If convicted, the men could face up to four years in a Mexican prison.
No word whether federal agents in Hawaii will act on the extradition request.
Chapman's Honolulu-based attorney, Brook Hart, said he was not surprised by the Mexican court ruling and would file an appeal. He said he did not expect Chapman to get a fair trial in Mexico.
The case had been on hold for nearly four months as Mexican authorities investigated the evidence, including Hart's claim that the men received "faulty" advice from a Mexican lawyer who told them it was okay to leave the country.
To resolve the matter, Hart previously suggested Chapman would be happy to issue a formal apology to the Mexican government, pay any fines the court deems appropriate, forfeit the bond he posted three years ago and make a donation to charity.
As it stands, the thrice-divorced father of 12 has been soliciting support from the public to help sway U.S. and Mexican officials over to his side. More than 169,000 fans have signed an online petition urging both governments roll over and drop charges against him. Chapman also turned his legal battle into a successful A&E TV special, which aired in September.