Technology

Google’s New Dog-Fighting App Draws Ire of Former Dog-Fighter Mike Vick

SAN FRANCISCO (The Blaze/AP) — Michael Vick and the Humane Society said on Monday that an application built to run on Google Inc.’s Android software glorifies dogfighting.

The app is called “Dog Wars” and lets players feed, water, train and fight their virtual dogs against others.

“Raise your dog to beat the best!” the games slogan goes according to Foxnews.com.

“I’ve come to learn the hard way that dogfighting is a dead-end street,” Vick said in a statement posted on the Humane Society’s website. “Now, I am on the right side of this issue, and I think it’s important to send the smart message to kids, and not glorify this form of animal cruelty, even in an Android app.”

The app is by Kage Games, whose website features an illustration of a pit bull with a bloody muzzle next to the ‘Dog Wars’ logo.

Googles New Dog Fighting App Draws Ire of Former Dog Fighter Mike Vick

A website where the app can be downloaded stresses that it is only a video game. “Perhaps one day we will make gerbil wars or beta fish wars for people who can’t understand fantasy role play games,” it says.

“We DO NOT CONDONE violence towards animals or humans, and we are confident in humankind’s ability to distinguish between a rudimentary game and the consequences of real life,” Kage Games said in a written statement issued Monday evening.

Foxnews.com says the group claims the app will be a “net benefit” to dogs since part of the proceeds will go to animal rescue groups.

Human Society President Wayne Pacelle said, however, the game could be used as virtual training ground for would-be dogfighters.

“Android should drop ‘Dog Wars’ from its online market and join the national movement to save dogs from this violent practice,” Pacelle said in a statement.

Foxnews.com explains how the game works:

In “Dog Wars,” the gamer selects a player and a dog and then sets off to earn street cred while dodging police heat. One of the characters in the game is labeled “The Athlete” — and with his red football jersey and helmet, he is clearly intended to represent Vick. (The real Vick noted in his statement that he now is “on the right side of this issue.”)

Vick was once the NFL’s highest-paid player but was arrested in 2007 and convicted on dogfighting charges, for which he served 18 months in federal prison. He returned to the league in 2009 and is now a star quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite the backlash, Kage Games is sticking to its mantra, arguing its game doesn’t violate the Android Market terms of service: “Further, this is a satire about the ridiculousness of dogfighting and we believe in the power of a modern media tool to educate and raise awareness of the real horrors.”

Google did not immediately respond to the AP’s messages seeking comment.

Comments (58)

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  • mizgeministarz
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 3:36pm

    While I find the app distasteful, the same could be said for a LOT of different apps/games not only on the Droid but other platforms. There are numerous games such as “weed farmer” (which is stated in the description of this app). There is a video game called “Grand Theft Auto” in which you go around shooting mobsters and stealing cars to get around. There is a video game called “Scarface” in which you role play as a mobster. The reality is, while these games may be distasteful to the majority of us, it is their right to make and sell these games. When you take away someone’s right to do this, you make it a very dangerous place for the rest of us. What about movies and TV shows? There is a TV show called Dexter that is all about a serial killer who kills other killers. While I find this app disgusting and will not ever download it onto my phone, I do not protest others rights to do so. The proceeds to in fact benefit animals. To say the app could “teach people how to dogfight” is ludicrous. It can no more teach people how to dogfight than a movie can teach you how to be a serial killer.

    Report Post »  
  • RJHollydog
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 1:56pm

    maybe I am the wrong person to comment on this, since I do not play video games, but I think the world needs another violent game like it needs more Muslim terrorists. As to Michael Vick, I do believe in second chances. The have to be earned. Has Vick earned his yet? I think he still has a lot to do. Condemning dog fighting video games is something I think he has to do. He has to be the biggest critic of his past behavior.

    Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 3:12pm

      I tend to disagree with your “needs to do” comment. It strikes me as particularly Soviet, where the Soviets used to call people together for “confessionals” of their past sins against the proletariat, over and over and over again (same in China).

      He does not need to become a crusader. He needs to fly right and not even hint at doing the act again. This need for public repentance and constant evangelicalism is totalitarian on its face and does not belong in a free nation.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
  • HiredMind Blog
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:16pm

    The headline of this article is very unfair and dishonest. Google didn’t make the app, they make the Operating System on which the app runs. But the headline makes it wound like Google makes this app. I’m no fan of Google, but TheBlaze is supposed to be a place for truth and fairness, no?

    It would be like someone saying that many violent games run on Windows, therefore the owners of Windows, Microsoft, must endorse violence.

    Report Post »  
  • Wubbena
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:16pm

    Why is everyone yelling to “remove” the app, that is censorship. I do NOT agree with many different types of content found on the internet or other places but pushing Google or anyone else to remove this game is against everything we stand for. I agree that it may not be great for kids and it “may” even promote something we don‘t agree with but isn’t that what freedom of speech is all about? Our ability to say or share or say things freely and this includes video games and Martha Stewart magazines… I am a conservative but I would never download the game and I would never promote it to my friends, but it’s their right to create and post it on the internet and no, Google should leave it be.
    Thanks
    Jon

    Report Post »  
  • red_white_blue2
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:34am

    This public display of not just an apology but an active step to support the proper treatment of animals is something I commend Vick for. There was a time I felt I would never like him again because of this. I am in shock that someone would make a game of this. It is paramount to all the other killing games. Eventually it dilutes the senses to the point it becomes less shocking and a person more likly to get into it for real. I believe the individual must take responsibility for their actions but there is something to be said for encouraging and egging someone on.

    Report Post » red_white_blue2  
  • cranberry
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:12am

    Michael vick is a loser and needs to go to a desert island forever.What he did was horrendous and inhumane. He can never ever ever make up for what he has done. He has no feelings and is a true psychotic personality. He feels nothing and has learned by watching others, how to act. People with no conscience or feeling for another living person or animal many times turn into serial killers but start with animal abuse. Look it up. Promoting animal fighting in any venue is wrong and should be shut down. PERIOD.

    Report Post » cranberry  
  • BlazingInSC
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:09am

    Boycott the bowling and billiards apps. The billiards app promotes white on black hate crime – because to win, you have to use the white ball to knock the black ball into the hole – worse yet, you gotta call your shot. The bowling apps promote black on white crime as you seek perfection by knocking the white pins down with the black ball, not once, but 12 times in a row. Boycott the role playing games – before some kid pulls out his +2 Mighty Sword to slay the Red Devil Dragon and flies off of his Pegasus.

    It’s an app people. Seriously?!? Anybody who thinks this is a “trainer” is just plain stupid. There are MUCH more things in this world worth worrying about than some 3rd tier “game developer” producing a distasteful game while making fun of one of this decade’s most notorious and infamous participants of the crime.

    Report Post »  
  • Politicalmess
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:48am

    If anybody wants to know: The game sucks anyway. I had the app but thought it was STUPID. Only a moron would play such a stupid game. NOTE; leave MV alone. He’s done his time and people deserve second chances.

    Report Post »  
  • svedka
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:32am

    This is vile, I don’t have a smart phone, as a matter of fact my phone seems to be dumb as a pile of crap, but if I had to pick a single way to judge a character in this day of age I think it would be fair to use how a person feels about this app to close the case on any character. Yes you have a right to do it, but you also have a right to a place in hell.

    Report Post » svedka  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:27am

    Get off of Vick ya’ll.. He is a good role model who was the victim of a culture he didn’t understand. He was raised in a culture that sees dogs as objects to guard the yard and carry some form of status. Fighting them would seem Natural. He was shown what the real deal is and he’s taken it to heart. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:32am

      Ghandi Repub,
      Michael Vick was not raised in a culture that MADE him do what he did. That’s malarkey!
      He did not just warch the fights. Word is that he personally killed the dogs who showed a reluctance to fight.
      Vick was no victim. The DOGS were the victims.

      Yeah, yeah, and yadda,yadda. He did his time. I just do not understand how prison helps the empathy challenged feel empathy?

      “The question is not, can they reason, nor can they talk, but rather…, “Can they suffer?”
      Jeremy Bentham

      Report Post »  
  • MikeinIdaho
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:21am

    Another fine application from your friendly government sponsored civilian “watchdog” search engine, Google. Stay far away from Google if you want to keep even a sliver of your privacy and freedom. They work for and support Obama and his band of merry marxists.

    Report Post » MikeinIdaho  
    • TRUTH
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:25pm

      No, see, the Google connection here was framed well. Google just makes the phone. That’s it. Google has no involvement in the actual creation of the app. This is just the Blaze editors trying to drag Google’s good name through the mud. Seidl is by far my least favorite editor on the site.

      Report Post » TRUTH  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:09am

    Vick remains one very sick indiviual….if he couldn’t run and throw a football he would be just another gang-banger….

    Report Post »  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:04am

    Once someone abuses dogs the way Vick did I believe there is no turning around. One who could abuse animals like he did is mentally unbalanced. I would not buy anything that Vick endorses except tickets to watch him scoop poop at the doggie park.

    Report Post » Darla_K  
  • alrunner58
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 8:59am

    Forgiving Vic is like forgiving a serial killer. Something was very wrong in his head, you don’t do that to innocent animals. I haven’t forgotten the despicable way these dogs were treated.

    Report Post » alrunner58  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:21am

      That is so off base that it’s amazing.

      Serial killers murder human beings. Human beings are more important than animals, no matter how one looks at it. What Vick did was wrong, clearly, but his crime is in no way analogous to a man who goes out and murders a string of innocent victims.

      Perspective please. Without second chances and granting that we all have freewill, we might as well close shop on America and cede to dictatorship, as we will have given in to the premise of all tyrants throughout history.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • TMACK
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:41am

      ALRUNNER – I am no fan of Vick, but perhaps he has changed. It is possible.

      Report Post » TMACK  
  • ShayPackrit
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 8:32am

    Vick did not only kill dogs, he tortured them to death while giggling like a little school girl. He could care less about dogs. You don’t treat another creature like that and then suddenly have a change of heart. He is, what he is. He only stopped to keep out of jail and to pick up that pay check. He is one miserable sick SOB.

    Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 8:48am

      Everybody deserves a second chance, and we all have freewill and the capacity for true change. Thus far, say what you will about him, Vick has demonstrated some level of remorse and has not relapsed. As long as he remains true and on the narrow path then I’m willing to cut him some slack. If there were no second chances we’d all be in a hell of a bad condition as individuals.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • TehFreedomist
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:22am

      i agree shaypackrit. He’s a pawn of the nanny state, anti-video game, relative moralists.

      Report Post » TehFreedomist  
    • ShayPackrit
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:41am

      Ghost– He paid his debt to society as the courts see it. Fine. Playing football has nothing to do with his crimes. Fine, again. I don’t have a problem with him playing (like that matters). People can change. You will not convince me, however, that someone who tortured animals for that long simply goes ” gee, maybe what I was doing was wrong”…. He enjoyed it, or he wouldn’t have done it. He had all the cash and without his funding, it wouldn’t have taken place. Most people would have realized that an animal screaming in pain would indicate a “wrongful act”. He did not.
      Second chances are for people who make a mistakes. That person has to believe that they made a mistake. I don’t think he believes that he made a mistake.

      Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:01pm

      @Shaypackrit

      His actions to date indicate that he’s learned. Just because you find dog fighting the worst crime evar doesn‘t mean that he doesn’t deserve a second chance. If a man’s heart cannot change, he has no freewill. That denies our very basis of rights and government on its face.

      If he slips up even slightly then I have no problem condemning him and suggesting a lengthy prison sentence. But give the man a chance to be right, or he never will be.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
  • moxyspirit
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 8:24am

    Dog fighting isn’t all bad, when done correctly.

    Report Post »  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 8:31am

      MOXYSPIRIT,
      Oh really? Pray, do tell.
      Please share the GOOD side of dog fighting.
      Oh wait…,did you mean it wasn’t “ALL bad when done correctly” because, the dog who fought “CORRECTLY” survived?

      Report Post »  
  • jeffyfreezone
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 8:15am

    The only thing lower than dog fighters is bond traders!

    Report Post »  
  • verityquest
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 7:59am

    And this differs from Grand Theft Auto how? Or a bass fishing game? Or Deer Hunting games? Or Wii Boxing? Nothing on earth is going to stop people who have a propensity for this kind of entertainment from it. This is not news, and publicizing its existence only increases its potential footprint.

    Report Post » verityquest  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 7:56am

    It’s a game. It’s not reality. People tend to confuse the two, especially low brow mediocre intellects like Vick.

    I’m opposed to dog fighting as much as the next guy, but this isn’t dog fighting, it’s digital impressions on a screen that you control. Chill Vick.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • demint.disciple
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 8:06am

      And if it was a video game of women getting raped would you still say , it’s just a game.. what’s the problem if you are intouch wih reality ? Im not here to fight Ghost, in fact I like your comments.. I just thought I would show a different angle on it..

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 8:21am

      I’d say “that‘s a game I’d never play and would instruct my children against playing”. Same with this one.

      We have a plethora of games that absolutely celebrate warfare, which is nothing more than government organized mass murder. We have games that absolutely revel in being a criminal who does absolutely abhorrent things to other human beings (Grand Theft Auto series). Dog fighting, when compared to that, is *way* down on the disgust-o-meter in my opinion.

      End of the day it’s not real. A sick twisted depraved fantasy, sure, but not reality. Be morally straight and raise your kids right, and advise other parents to do so, is my advice.

      My solution to this, since I myself find it tasteless, is to ensure that I raise my children in a healthy moral environment and teach them by example and by instruction on how to make proper choices in life. So far it seems to be working quite well.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 2:36pm

      Cowboys and Indians has just been made illegal. Any children caught playing( as Indians) will be incarcerated for not less than 30 days. Cowboys will get 60 days

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • jds7171
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:04pm

      @demin.disciple
      They do have games like that. How about games that you go up and shoot people. How about where you just go around beating people up. It is just a game. Stop trying to take away people’s free will man. You act like a conservative, but when someone comes and is against your beliefs you want to condone them and FORCE THEM to act your way. This is why the conservative movement will never be dominant. I am am a conservative, but it is people like you and tons of people on this site that go along with the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality. If you want people to have the individual freedom that us conservatives want people to have, then you have to understand some people are gonna want to do things that you don’t want to do. You will just have to live with it. As long as they don’t force you to do it, and it doesn’t harm your basic rights….Life, liberty and the pursuit of hapiness….then you have no authority to have it stopped.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 7:56am

    “I’ve come to learn the hard way that dogfighting is a dead-end street,” Yea Vick, dogfighting is sick but, you were convicted of torturing dogs as well as fighting them. Only a twisted sadist gets his kicks torturing animals and a little jail time doesn’t change that. You’re still a sick, twisted individual, no matter how badly the NFL wants to showcase the new and improved #7.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 7:55am

    Why are we entertained by animals tearing each other apart? What next, a bull fighting app?

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • OneRepublic4us
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:52am

      I was thinking more along the lines of “get the ap maker” game but to be honest with you I think it might just make a good plot for the next Saw movie.

      Report Post » OneRepublic4us  
  • Leadthemtothelight
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 7:52am

    There are all manner of disturbing apps available. Nothing is sacred anymore people. Our society seems to thrive on suffering. Way to go Kage games…..perhaps if and when dog fighting for real begins to increase then the gov will fine and tax you to help pay for damages.

    Report Post » Leadthemtothelight  
  • smithclar3nc3
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 7:52am

    I don’t know if Mike is using this to further his carreer or if he truely believes now what he did was wrong. I’m hoping for the latter and that Vick knows that finding pleasure in the suffering of animals for violence sake is evil.

    Report Post »  
    • Dandylyon
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:14pm

      Vick has an agent telling him what and how to do what ever it takes to keep the NFL job and fill both there pockets,that is the way of things.
      You don’t hate animals like Vick did one day and care deeply about them the next,he is and always will be who he is.

      Report Post »  
  • DimmuBorgir
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 7:51am

    This is jacked up.

    I am 1000% against dog fighting.

    Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
    • Shrinking Citizen
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:23am

      I’m 1000% against dog fighting but I’m not a hypocrite. I’m not going to stand against Dog Wars until I more quickly stand against: Mafia Wars, Drug Wars, World of Warcraft, Grand Theft Auto, etc etc etc. All games which kill people, or promote drugs, or promote prostitution, or promote bad moral behavior.

      What is more dangerous? Killing dogs? or people? What’s more dangerous? Gangs and Prostitution? or dog fights?

      When you learn to prioritize, then I’ll listen to you.

      Report Post » Shrinking Citizen  
    • TehFreedomist
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:18am

      @shrinking citizen – i agree with you and whats more is Michael Vick has a motive in cleaning his act up beyond rehab… Money. On top of that it kind of reminds me of the cigarette smoker gone clean… Nobody is more sanctimonious and strident than an ex-smoker. Vick shouldn’t have his hands on this. He is the last person on Earth who should be telling anyone anything about dog-fighting, no matter the context. He’s still the dregs of society even if he has money. I don‘t care how many PSA’s he does. Great point about the vids (some of which i like and play and i don’t run around carjacking people) Let’s get something straight – MV is a pawn of the nanny state and the nanny state mentality and is too stupid to even realize it. He has no principles… He never did. Fact is he should have been self aware enough to know in the first place it was bad. I know that about beating cops to death with baseball bats just to make the other cops on GTA mad isn’t the same as doing it in RL because i have SOME moral fabric. Can’t say that about Vick under close scrutiny and an honest analysis.

      Report Post » TehFreedomist  
  • demint.disciple
    Posted on April 26, 2011 at 7:50am

    And who says that prison doesn’t rehabilitate ? Look at Mike Vick a few years in and he’s a spokesman for the humain society.. Good for him, and get that crap off of video games.. What the hell are they thinking ?

    Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
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