The truth has been revealed.
Duane “Dog” Chapman, known as “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” has detailed his journey from a rebellious youth to a devout man in his new memoir. During an interview on The Eric Metaxas Radio Show, Chapman shared insights into his upbringing, revealing that he was raised by a devout mother, an Assemblies of God preacher, while his father struggled with alcoholism and abuse. At 13, after attempting to stop his father’s abuse by pulling a knife on him, Chapman left home and dropped out of school. He later joined a biker gang, “The Devil’s Disciples,” and described himself as “demon-oppressed” during this time. Despite his rebellious behavior, Chapman explained that he hadn’t completely turned away from God, only partially.
Chapman also recalled how, despite his gang involvement, he continued praying before meals, earning him the nickname “Dog,” a reference to “God” spelled backward. At the age of 16, after becoming a father, Chapman expressed his continued faith by dedicating his newborn son to God. His story took a darker turn when he was involved in a robbery attempt that led to a gang member’s death. This landed Chapman in prison, where he met a chaplain who recognized the significance of his nickname and prayed for his bond to be reduced. The following day, Chapman’s bond was lowered, leading to his release.
After being freed, Chapman took a job cleaning a church and began reconnecting with God, even though he had to hide his faith in prison due to hostility towards Christianity. While incarcerated, he performed an exorcism on a fellow inmate and became known as the “warden’s pet” due to his work as the warden’s barber. He was eventually released early, and after his time in prison, Chapman became a bounty hunter—a career path he credits to God.
In his memoir Nine Lives and Counting, Chapman opens up about his personal struggles and successes, including his experience as a single father, his career in bounty hunting, the heartbreaking loss of his wife Beth to cancer, and his new marriage to Francie. The book also shares their efforts to spread the message of Jesus and explores his relationships with his children and family. The memoir is described as a real-life testament to God’s grace and transformation in Chapman’s life, with twists and turns that offer inspiration.
