Dog fighting is coming to a new arena, an app for the android platform allows users to raise and fight virtual pit bulls in epic, bloody battles. You can even inject your virtual dog with steroids and the game supplies players with a gun in case of a police raid. Not surprisingly, the backlash from the animal rights community and law enforcement has been swift and vociferous. They say the app should be yanked because it can be used to recruit potential dog fighters and even help them learn the ins and outs of the business. Animal rights groups point out that the app reinforces breed-specific stereotypes, which contributes to the negative image pit bulls have. The developers of the game aren’t talking. They’re an elusive group called Kage Games, a company that has no phone number, no address and no other contact but an email. They claim they’ve received death threats from animal rights activists. They also contend that what happens in the virtual world has no bearing on real life. But is that true? Does virtual dog fighting make people less likely to engage in the real behavior? Or, as the Los Angeles Police Protective League says, could this encourage real life dog fighting and be embraced by local gang members?

Guests:

Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States

Lawrence Walters, Attorney specializing in video game censorship