DOG The Bounty Hunter shut down rumors on Wednesday that he was DEAD with a hilarious post.
The 66-year-old reality TV star – real name Duane Chapman – took a photo of himself to quell fears from a fake death story circulating Facebook this week.
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The long-faced hard-man held up a handmade sign that read “I’m Alive!” in one hand and the day’s edition of The Denver Post in the other, as seen in the picture handed to TMZ.
It comes just months after the tragic death of Dog’s wife Beth Chapman in June at the age of 51.
Dog had allegedly “survived the first attack” of pulmonary embolism – a blockage in an artery in the lungs.
But he died from the condition after a second attack, the story claimed.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels from one part of the body to the lungs and blocks blood flow.
They can be cured with blood-thinning medications, but can cause sudden death if left untreated.
Fans flooded the “Dog’s Most Wanted” star’s social media pages with heartfelt condolences and “RIP” posts – and even his publicity team reached out to check on him.
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Dog was reportedly on his way to a workout when he found out about the hoax, which claimed his grief over the death of his late wife Beth caused the health scare.
He said that he was “feeling much better” on Tuesday and thanked fans for their concern.
“THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR KIND WISHES AN PRAYERS. I AM FEELING MUCH BETTER. WORKING OUT TODAY!,” he tweeted.
His followers were relieved to read the update and replied with well wishes and encouraging messages.
“So happy your [sic] feeling better @DogBountyHunter your [sic] in my prayers God bless you and your family,” one fan replied.
“Prayers go out to #DogTheBountyHunter glad to hear you are feeling better,” wrote another.
Although the news story is fake, not all the information is totally incorrect.
Chapman was diagnosed with the potentially life-threatening condition after he was rushed to the hospital for chest pains in September, the Los Angeles Times reported.
He’s also one of a number of celebrities who have suffered from PE and survived, most recently Real Housewives of Atlanta personality NeNe Leakes and tennis ace Serena Williams.
Dog had since adopted a healthier lifestyle by eating a nutritious diet, smoking fewer cigarettes, and taking anticoagulant medications, he revealed on an episode of The Dr. Oz Show that aired the same month.
In June, wife Beth succumbed to advanced cancer two years after she was first diagnosed.
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