TENS OF THOUSANDS TO GOOGLE: SHUT DOWN DOGFIGHTING APP

Breakthrough campaign on Change.org calls on Google to immediately remove KG Dogfighting from the Android Market; reports of the game’s removal inaccurate

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – More than 41,000 people have joined a viral campaign on Change.org calling on Google to remove KG Dogfighting, a dogfighting game created by Kage Games, LLC, from the Android Market.

Robert Pregulman, author of the Seattle DogSpot blog, launched the online campaign after reading reports claiming that Google had responded to the public outcry against the dog fighting game by temporarily pulling the app.

“Contrary to media reports, Google never removed any version of KG Dogfighting from the Android Market,” said Pregulman. “The patience of dog lovers waiting for Google to take this cruel game off the market is running out fast.”

KG Dogfighting has been condemned by law enforcement officials and animal advocates alike.

“KG Dogfighting is in effect a cyber training manual for the illegal enterprise of dogfighting,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “We must exhibit a zero-tolerance policy for this barbaric practice, which we are working so hard to uproot from our communities.”

In a Senate hearing in May, Google’s Alan Davidson stated “Apps that are unlawful or directly related to unlawful activity, we do take those down.”

Activists have called on Mr. Davidson to review KG Dogfighting, but he has not responded to further inquiry.

“Although Google still has not taken a position on the dog fighting app, activists around the world haven’t given up,” said Change.org Director of Organizing, Stephanie Feldstein. “It’s remarkable to see their dedication to keeping animal cruelty from being trivialized or seen as just a game. More than a dozen pet bloggers have supported Robert’s campaign on Change.org and continue working to get the truth out about this app and Google’s lack of response to the public outcry.”

Live signature totals from the campaign:
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-android-to-block-dog-fighting-app

Additional background:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/04/lapd-union-chief-writes-google-urging-them-to-permanently-muzzle-dog-wars-app.html