Michael Vick: Dogfighting Android app is wrong

Michael Vick / CBS

SAN FRANCISCO — Michael Vick and the Humane Society said on Monday that an application built to run on Google Inc.'s Android software glorifies dogfighting.

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

"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.

Vick's Dogfight Compound to Become Rehab Center?

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.

Humane 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.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other groups also called for the app to be pulled.

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.

Google did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

[Gamesman001]

Gotta say he isn't the guy I would pick to send this message. I doubt he believes any of that but people see what they want to see.

[fred4147747681]

Google! Remember when they ratted-out the freedom fighters in China? Now this- dogfighting. Google, do no evil? No Google IS evil. Boycott them now. Fred

[cmericks]

I kill green pigs by launching various species of birds at them (who then explode afterward) on my iPhone, but nobody seems to care about that. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

[mountainstates1]

Vick, though your words are important, you have to wonder how sincere you really are. You should never had the opportunity to be back in the NFL. We have to wonder whether you really care about these dogs or care about your reputation. Either way, we'll never forget (or forgive) your monstrous cruelty to all those dogs...

[djtejas]

I agree that Vick's crimes against animals were wrong, but should anyone who commits a crime and does their time, never be able to return to their career.
Should people be banned from their job after committing a crime that had nothing to do with their job?
It's not a pick and choose who you want to lose their career; it would have to apply to everyone.

[gypsy45]

It's people like this, and their activities, that have given this breed of dog a bad rap, and for a long time, I too was leery of this kind of dog. A year and a half ago, I rescued a 6 mo. old American Bulldog from a shelter. I guess he is considered a 'pitbull'. He was behind a door, out of sight, and surely doomed for euthanization. The shelter employees told me they would be very choosy who adopted him simply because of the way he looked. I asked if I could, and they let me take him home. He is 80 lb. and built of pure muscle. And the biggest baby of a dog I've ever owned. He listens better than any dog I've ever had, is very well behaved, playful and very loving. He has never been aggressive, not w/ my cats or other dogs. He is afraid of my pet rat. It is all in how they are raised. Any dog can be mean if not treated properly. There is a Golden Retriever down the street that is the meanest thing I've ever seen. A Shar-pai in town who likes to pick fights. And a lab/German Shepherd who nips at anyone who gets too close to him. It's a shame that people like Michael Vick have done this to this breed of dog.

[mountainstates1]

Good for you! You've proven Vick and all the other sick-o's that think dog abuse is just "dogs", wrong!

[tb_whiteness]

This app is lame anyway. It takes too long to see the blood and guts...

[mountainstates1]

Go crap on yourself

[bobsam55]

Hey Mike , kinda wish you had these sentiments before you killed and tortured hundreds of dogs.

[gypsy45]

I agree w/ you, and I have to wonder if his sentiments are really sincere, or if he is just trying to repair his reputation. I think a better spokesperson could have been found.

[mari1963]

Oh who is Michael Vick kidding. He probably pre ordered the app for himself ! He's such a loser. Stop giving this loser face time in the media. Go back to the inner city - you thug!

[Danielmountain]

Good on him. I have newfound respect for Mr. Vick.

Call it a PR campaign but he's doing the right thing.

[skeezix06]

I can't imagine getting an app like that. Dogfighting is illegal and this app should be illegal too.

[skeezix06]

In fact the more I think about it the angrier I get. Google doesn't appear to give you an online way to contact them with a comment but they do have a phone number.

[djtejas]

I do not condone dog fighting, but to say the app should be illegal is a little extreme.
How many video games are out there that involve killing humans? Almost every parent that has children with video games buys them games with crimes in them.