Duane Chapman's bark has apparently landed him in the dog house.

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A&E ceased production on Chapman's Dog the Bounty Hunter docu-reality series on Wednesday after the network learned he made racial slurs during a taped phone call to his son that was subsequently made public by The National Enquirer, People reported.

"A&E has just learned of the story released by The National Enquirer concerning Duane 'Dog' Chapman," A&E said in a statement, according to People.  "We take this matter very seriously.  Pending an investigation, we have suspended production on the series.  When the inquiry is concluded we will take appropriate action."

In the expletive-laced phone conversation obtained by The Enquirer, Chapman is talking with his son Tucker and discussing the possible fallout of using the N-word around Tucker's girlfriend Monique Shinnery, who is black.

"I don't care if she's a Mexican, a whore, whatever," Chapman said.  "It's not because she's black, it's because we use the word n***er sometimes here.  I'm not going to take a chance ever in life -- losing everything I worked for for 30 years -- because some f**king n***er heard us say n***er and turned us into The Enquirer magazine.  Our career is over.  I'm not taking that chance at all.  Never in life.  Never."

Chapman than tries to explain the severity of the situation to his son, adding if his daughter Lyssa ever dated a black man, that also wouldn't fly.

"If Lyssa brought a black guy home... It's not that they're black.  It's none of that.  It's that we use the word n***er," Chapman said.  "We don't mean, 'You f**king-scum n***er without a soul.'  We don't mean that s**t.  But America would think we mean that.  And we're not taking a chance on losing everything we've got over a racial slur because our son goes with a girl like that... I'll help you get another job but you cannot work here unless you break-up with her."

Now it appears the exact situation Chapman feared has become reality as A&E has halted production on Dog the Bounty Hunter.

"My sincerest, heartfelt apologies go out to every person I have offended for my regrettable use of very inappropriate language," said Chapman in a statement obtained by People.  "I am deeply disappointed in myself for speaking out of anger to my son and using such a hateful term in a private phone conversation. It was completely taken out of context. I was disappointed in his choice of a friend, not due to her race, but her character. However, I should have never used that term."

The 54-year-old Hawaii-based bounty hunter goes on to say he has the "utmost respect" for black people who have "already suffered" through acts of discrimination and hatred.

"I did not mean to add yet another slap in the face to an entire race of people who have brought so many gifts to this world," he continues in the statement.  "I am ashamed of myself and I pledge to do whatever I can to repair this damage I have caused... In Hawaii, we have something called Ho'oponopono, where people come together to resolve crises and restore peace and balance. I am meeting with my spiritual advisor, Rev. Tim Storey, and hope to meet with other black leaders so they can see who I really am and teach me the right thing to do to make things right, again."

Roy Innis, who has served as chairman of the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE) since 1968, told The Enquirer that Chapman "should not have a show."

"This man should not be held up as a role model for children," Innis told The Enquirer. "He has venom deep in his soul. This is a picture of his heart - a revelation of his true nature... When someone gets the opportunity to use the airwaves, he becomes a role model, whether he likes it or not. Dog Chapman should not be in that position, posing as a good guy... His comments show that he certainly is not a good guy."

Dog the Bounty Hunter first premiered on A&E in August 2004 and has since aired three additional seasons.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio

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