Netflix Removes Dogfight DVD
The Associated Press is reporting that many major retailers including Netflix have removed the Hood Fights DVD once it was discovered that it included real scenes of dogfighting.
Los Gatos, Calif.-based Netflix removed Hood Fights from its library during the past week after customer complaints prompted a review of the objectionable content, said company spokesman Steve Swasey."We treated it like we would pornography," Swasey said. Netflix doesn't rent pornography to its nearly 5 million subscribers.
This story was originally reported on HackingNetflix on May 31st, Controversy over Dog Fight Movie.
Good to see Netflix doing what it should. Amazon, on the other hand, continues to list the title. I have no intention of using their site until it's pulled and I'm sure many others feel exactly the same way.
Posted by: Scott | June 21, 2006 at 09:24 AM
Just as I'm sure many couldn't care either way about the video and will continue to shop Amazon for their wide selection and reasonable prices. Did anyone actually watch the video? This reminds me of The Last Temptation of Christ uproar. I hope these good citizens also help stop the sale of homeless people street fighting videos.
Posted by: HypoPig | June 21, 2006 at 10:24 AM
It will be very interesting to see Netflix's reaction when Bela Tarr's Satantango is released on DVD. One 2 hour section records the torturing and poisoning of a cat. Are the scenes simulated or are they real?
Posted by: Flushed | June 21, 2006 at 11:50 AM
When I first saw this I thought it referred to the charming romance starring Lili Taylor and River Phoenix and was quite confused.
Posted by: nacton42 | June 21, 2006 at 12:42 PM
Couldn't the people that watch/conduct dog fights prove how tough they are by doing the fighting themselves, instead of the dogs?
Now that's something I would watch!
Posted by: peter | June 21, 2006 at 02:13 PM
I'm frankly troubled by the notion of pressure groups making Netflix censor their catalog. There are plenty of movies they carry that I find objectionable, but it's not my place to keep others from watching them.
It's easy for some special interest group like PETA to make a lot of noise, but how are the rest of us supposed to counter it if Netflix caves in without asking us?
Posted by: Hunter McDaniel | June 21, 2006 at 03:31 PM
they pulled it so quickly because it's dog fighting. By renting it out you would support the makers of the dvdt. Tthat's why it got pulled.
It's not like it got pulled out of bad taste. it got pulled because it is cruel and illegal.
Posted by: Super-Bat-Man | June 21, 2006 at 06:21 PM
"It's not like it got pulled out of bad taste. it got pulled because it is cruel and illegal."
You've got that right! I just wish they would take the ba$tards, who made it, to court and charge them.
Anyone, and I mean anyone, who enjoys watching dogs tearing each other apart is a sick SOB!
Posted by: Bogarts_Falcon | June 21, 2006 at 07:36 PM
"Just as I'm sure many couldn't care either way about the video and will continue to shop Amazon for their wide selection and reasonable prices."
Many of us, myself included, will not shop at Amazon no matter what their prices are. I have closed my account with them and I know at least 18-25 others who have done the same thing. In each case we have let Amazon know we closed our account(s) because they continue to sell the DVD.
Posted by: Bogarts_Falcon | June 21, 2006 at 07:43 PM
It's alright to portray vicious killings and beatings, torture, mutilation, and terrorist attacks. But don't show graphic sex, nudity, or cruelty to animals. That is where we draw the line. We care so much for animals and so little for people. Millions lack health care, safe housing, clean water, good food, decent schools, and other necessities. Why don't we ban graphic violence from film and relax the stigma on sex and nudity? Which does more to harm the moral fabric of society?
Posted by: NetflixShill | June 22, 2006 at 01:55 AM
"It's alright to portray vicious killings and beatings, torture, mutilation, and terrorist attacks. But don't show graphic sex, nudity, or cruelty to animals. That is where we draw the line. We care so much for animals and so little for people."
Netflix rents a number of movies that PORTRAY cruelty to animals. This thread is not about any of those movies. This thread is about a movie with actual cruelty, not simulated cruelty.
Posted by: somenobody | June 22, 2006 at 04:51 AM
"I have closed my account with them and I know at least 18-25 others who have done the same thing." Looks like Amazon has pulled the DVD as I can no longer find it available. You can end your holdout before you bring Amazon to financial ruin. I wonder how many sales they actually had? That group has a bunch of "wonderful" videos: http://tinyurl.com/gvrcr some available on Netflix http://tinyurl.com/z9jnc
Posted by: HypoPig | June 22, 2006 at 12:12 PM
somenobody said:
>>Netflix rents a number of movies that PORTRAY cruelty to animals. This thread is not about any of those movies. This thread is about a movie with actual cruelty, not simulated cruelty.<<
Good point...same as sexual situations....they rent movies that portray it, not show the real thing, ie, porno.
Posted by: peter | June 22, 2006 at 12:21 PM
"You can end your holdout before you bring Amazon to financial ruin."
It's not about trying to shut them down. It's about ME deciding where I will spend my money. It's a personal decision and one that NOBODY will make for me.
Amazon, like other companies gain and lose customers every day. It's a part of doing business. They really don't give a damn if I buy from them or not as long as they are making money.
Posted by: Bogarts_Falcon | June 22, 2006 at 12:52 PM
"Millions lack health care, safe housing, clean water, good food, decent schools, and other necessities."
Yes, and as a Hurricane Katina rescue worker, I can tell you these social problems are also connected with dogfighting. Anyone who has dealt with a dogfighter dropping off a tortured, brutalized dog because it won't fight and "he's done with it," could not in good conscience support netflix or amazon. Or, if they'd seen the rows and rows of what was left of dogs left to die, on huge metal collars and short heavy metal chains, in small cages, during Katrina. Glad to see they pulled it.
Posted by: glowbugm | June 29, 2007 at 10:22 PM
"Millions lack health care, safe housing, clean water, good food, decent schools, and other necessities."
Yes, and as a Hurricane Katina rescue worker, I can tell you these social problems are also connected with dogfighting. Anyone who has dealt with a dogfighter dropping off a tortured, brutalized dog because it won't fight and "he's done with it," could not in good conscience support netflix or amazon. Or, if they'd seen the rows and rows of what was left of dogs left to die, on huge metal collars and short heavy metal chains, in small cages, during Katrina. Glad to see they pulled it.
Posted by: glowbugm | June 29, 2007 at 10:23 PM
"Millions lack health care, safe housing, clean water, good food, decent schools, and other necessities."
Yes, and as a Hurricane Katina rescue worker, I can tell you these social problems are also connected with dogfighting. Anyone who has dealt with a dogfighter dropping off a tortured, brutalized dog because it won't fight and "he's done with it," could not in good conscience support netflix or amazon. Or, if they'd seen the rows and rows of what was left of dogs left to die, on huge metal collars and short heavy metal chains, in small cages, during Katrina. Glad to see they pulled it.
Posted by: glowbugm | June 29, 2007 at 10:23 PM