Kennesaw Moms Beware

I’m the mother of seven sons – yes, I know that’s a lot, but it can happen when you blend two families together. Therefore, I believe I do know a little something about young men. And one thing I do know is they DO love their video games. Over the years, as we’ve parented these young boys turning into men, we’ve had many, many discussions about the dangers of video game addiction and the consumption of violent video games.

But, even I was shocked when Kage Games came out with their new Google Android app called “Dog Wars.” Here’s the ad to “entice” my boys to download this “free” game.

The advertisements say that you should “Never let your dog go hungry or thirsty…you must train it and feed it a while before you can fight other players’ dogs.” 

Last time I checked the Georgia Penal Code, dog fighting was illegal. And, with further checking, I discovered that it’s illegal everywhere in the United States. The “sport” of dogfighting is still a pervasive evil in America, despite its illegal status. CNN recently reported that “Dogfighting is a booming business with an estimated 40,000 people in the United States involved in professional dogfighting, an illegal blood sport…”

With all of the temptations served up before my son’s eyeballs on the television, via the Internet, and blasting out of the radio each and every day, I certainly don’t need some app developer at Kage Games to teach them how to be a criminal.  There have been many research studies that connect the violence in the games consumed by young men to violence and increased aggressive behavior in the community.

How about if a bunch of us mothers and dog owners let Kage Game developers know what we R-E-A-L-L-Y think about the subject matter of their latest game. This is a subject close to my heart as I have seen horrific pictures of dogs that have been dumped off literally torn apart by fighting dogs and then dumped off at local shelters for those soft-hearted people to redeem. I’ve also heard stories of pet owners living in urban areas who’ve had their dogs literally stolen by gunpoint by thugs who wanted to use the pet as a bait dog for the training of fighting dogs.

Someone, somewhere has to put their foot down and say enough is enough. Will you contact Google to let them know how you feel about them marketing such a despicable product to your young men? I already did--one protest for each one of my seven sons.

Would you join me?

Sample letter to:

Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President, Mobile
Google Inc.,
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
Phone: +1 650-253-0000
Fax: +1 650-253-0001

Twitter: @Arubin

I am writing to request that you remove the Android application "KG Dogfighting" from the Android Market.

Animal lovers everywhere understand that dog fighting at every level, from high-stakes interstate rings to back-alley street-level fights, is a cause of daily suffering and death for dogs. It also drives the over-breeding of pit-bull-terrier-type dogs by backyard breeders that results in a disproportionately high number of pit bull terriers entering and dying in America’s shelters.

The game is a how-to for any potential dog fighter, and I believe also is in violation of your own Terms of Service in the Android Market, which state: "Android Market should not be used for unlawful purposes or for promotion of
dangerous and illegal activities."

Google, from its inception, has been a leader in communities around the world, using influence to make life better for millions of people. Mr. Rubin, it's time now Google recognize the evils of dog fighting and remove this application for sale.

Sincerely,

Cherie K. Miller
Kennesaw Mom