Dog’s Most Wanted star Duane Chapman, best known as “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” recently shared some sad news with Dr. Oz. He has been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in the heart. This news comes on the heels of his wife Beth Chapman’s death three months ago after years spent battling throat cancer.
Dog the Bounty Hunter shared the news of his “life-threatening” condition on the Dr. Oz Show in an episode that will air this Monday, September 30. Dog was officially diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism after experiencing severe chest pains (which was initially thought to be a heart attack) that landed him in the hospital. The condition, which occurs when arteries in the heart fill up with blood, is dangerous and could result in an early death if not treated properly by doctors.
The bounty hunter -- whose reality series Dog’s Most Wanted, a spinoff of A&E’s Dog the Bounty Hunter, follows Dog Chapman and his team chasing after fugitives -- was in denial of his condition at first. In the clip from The Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Oz tells him that his condition is no joke and that he needed to get doctors involved.
You’re a ticking time bomb. You’re not going to be here with the heart the way it is right now. Fear of death is normal. I’m surprised you don’t fear death when you’re chasing after convicts. But when you run away from doctor, that means you have to do your own doctoring.
In an interview with People, Dr. Oz spoke about how losing Beth made Dog more scared of dying now; he's still struggling to come to terms with her death. Dr. Oz described Beth as Dog’s “biggest support” and her death had greatly impacted him and affected his reaction to his own failing health.
Naturally, Dr. Oz had some words of wisdom for Dog, whom he visited in Denver, Colorado.
I said, ‘What would Beth do. What would she say to you? I don’t think she’d be happy with what you’re doing. You’re throwing away your life, you’re throwing away your ability to parent your kids. You have to man up.’ That’s what she would say.
Beth Chapman’s cancer battle was partly documented on Dog’s Most Wanted and the first trailer for the series, the premiere of which had been delayed due to Beth’s chemotherapy, showcased her treatment. The couple had previously appeared together on Dog the Bounty Hunter and its spinoff show on CMT, Dog and Beth: On the Hunt.
While Dog has obviously struggled following the loss of Beth, he finally started to worry about what would happen to him, though he admitted he hadn't done so in a while.
I hesitated for a minute thinking, I don’t want to have to go through this again. I don’t want to die right now. I’m not afraid to die anymore, but I really didn’t care for a while if something would happen. I do care now.
Recovering from pulmonary embolism won’t be easy, but Dog is hopeful that he will be “100 percent” again.
You can watch the Dr. Oz Show clip of Dog Chapman below.
Dog’s Most Wanted premiered on September 4 and airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on WGN America. For more Fall TV premieres, be sure to check out our complete guide to all your favorite new and returning shows.
