The controversial dogfighting app, "Dog Wars," has been renamed "KG Dogfighting" and is back in the Android Market.
Created by developer Kage Games, "KG Dogfighting" lets you "feed, water, train and fight your virtual dog against other players." It's caused quite a stir among animal advocacy groups with the Human Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals urging Google to remove the app earlier this week.
"Android should drop 'Dog Wars' from its online market and join the national movement to save dogs from this violent practice," Humane Society president Wayne Pacelle said. "Because 'Dog Wars' actually instructs players on how to condition a dog using methods that are standard in organized dogfighting, this game may be a virtual training ground for would-be dogfighters. Its timing and message are all wrong."
Perhaps the most notorious former dogfighter, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick also spoke out against the game.
"I've come to learn the hard way that dogfighting is a dead-end street," he said Monday in reference to his 20-month stint in federal prison for a dogfighting conviction. "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 makers of the game note that it is "just a game" and its listed as "high maturity."
"We've heard thoughts from many dog and animal lovers about our app and first we, as dog lovers and dog owners ourselves, would like to thank you for your thoughts and for the work many of you do on behalf of our canine friends," reads the app's page in the Android Market. "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."
Google said the app was "removed based on a trademark infringement complaint," but the company declined to comment further on the matter.