Duane Chapman still may face charges if ruling is appealed

The dog just may have a new leash on life.

Duane "Dog" Chapman, his son Leland Chapman and fellow bounty hunter Tim Chapman (no relation) have had the Mexican charges dropped against them after they tracked down and apprehended a convicted criminal in Puerto Vallarta in 2003, reports TMZ.com.

The dog and his pack aren't out of the woods just yet though.

"Earlier this week the First Criminal Court in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico dismissed all charges against Dog, Tim and Leland Chapman due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on the criminal counts pending against them," reads a statement A&E, the network that airs the popular "Dog the Bounty Hunter" show, gave to TMZ. "The order effectively cancelled all pending charges. The ruling is, however, subject to appeal by the prosecution in Puerto Vallarta. If an appeal is sought, it must be filed by Wednesday, August 8th. Our thoughts and best wishes are with the Chapman family as they await the prosecution's decision. More information will be posted on AETV.com as it becomes available."

The various Chapmans were arrested in Hawaii in September 2006 on kidnapping charges dating back to 2003 when the bounty hunters went down to Mexico to capture Max Factor heir Andrew Luster, who was on the run for several months evading multiple counts of rape. Mexican authorities wanted Luster handed over to them, denied Chapman and his gang permission to leave the country, declared them fugitives from justice and tried to get them extradited to Mexico for sentencing.

The Chapmans, who had been charged with deprivation of liberty due to Mexico's anti-bounty hunting laws, quickly posted bail and have been facing extradition ever since. Luster is currently in jail serving a 124-year term.