I know I have been slacker lately, but a new development has me outraged enough to bring me out of blogger retirement.
By now you have probably heard about the dog fighting app developed by a company called Kage Games LLC. The Dog Wars “game” (an insulting term, given the subject matter) is available at Google’s android market, and we animal lovers have been working tirelessly all weekend to send Google the clear message that this app should be removed immediately. (Kudos to XDA Developers, who DID ban this app from their site.)
According to the Google android market policies page, “Android Market should not be used for unlawful purposes or for promotion of dangerous and illegal activities. If found engaging in such activity, we may deny access to Android Market, terminate your account, notify law enforcement authorities, or take other appropriate action.”
In the “game,” the controller has the opportunity to train a dog to fight other dogs, win virtual cash (like a business) and inject the dog with steroids. The logo features a Pit Bull with cropped ears, yellow eyes, and a blood-stained muzzle.
Yet the developer claims that they do not violate the terms. I really wonder how that can be, especially considering not only the keywords the developer inserted into the app (specifically “train to dogfight”):
…but also these two seemingly contradictory messages tweeted by the developer, @dogwarsapp:
Really?? Just like in real life?? So then, the developer has experience in the illegal activity of dog fighting? Shocking!!
So who is this developer? Has the developer ever been investigated for dog fighting? I can only hope that authorities in the area where Kage Games LLC is based figure out a way to, because obviously animals were harmed in the inspiration of this app.
To join in asking Google to remove this app from the android market:
- Leave a Feature Request/Suggestion at the android market support forum.
- Sign the petition at change.org. The petition gained 5,000 signatures on its first day.
- Email press@google.com to express your concern.
- Tweet your disgust directly the developer at @dogwarsapp and email at pitboss@kagegames.com
- Report the app as inappropriate.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. It is incredible that anyone would support this type of “game”. I followed your instructions to take action against it, and suggest all animal lovers do the same!
Hi there, Thanks very much for this blog post. It boggles the mind what passes for entertainment. There’s no wonder such terrible things happen in the world when our youth find destruction and violence a big joke – something to guffaw at. I’m going to sign the petition right now!
Just signed the petition and noticed that it has well over 30,000 signatures. Good work!
You do know how to differentiate between a work of fantasy and fact? Even children can do this, playing realistic misanthropic games like “Grand Theft Auto”, available on Google Play store.
Outrage porn alert!
(No I do not support or endorse dogfighting, it’s inhumane. You want to make a real difference, then infiltrate puppy mills and fighting dens, become a double agent and report to proper authorities.)
It is very easy to abuse an animal that you find on the street and lock it up and no one will ever know. It is not as easy to harm humans. Animals are often used as training tools for abusers before they go to humans. Already working on those other ideas you mentioned, including boycotting and petitioning against MV, the dog fighting football player whose name I won’t mention, every chance I get.