A Mexican judge has ruled TV star Duane 'Dog' Chapman cannot be extradited to Mexico to face kidnapping charges, ending a lengthy legal battle.

The star of reality show Dog The Bounty Hunter traveled to Mexico to capture serial rapist Andrew Luster - the heir to the Max Factor cosmetics empire - in June 2003.

But Chapman, his son and another cohort found themselves on the wrong side of the law when Mexican authorities in Puerto Vallarta learned of plans to track and capture Luster.

Bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico.

After a brief spell behind bars, Chapman and his team were allowed to return to the United States but Mexican prosecutors have been fighting to extradite Chapman on kidnapping charges ever since.

A U.S. judge dismissed the move in November, and, on Tuesday, a Mexican judge agreed.

Chapman tells website TMZ.com, "Thank God this nightmare is over."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)