Dog Community

Amazon.com supports cruelty

Posted : 6/15/2007 4:09:17 PM

I have recently wrote a strongly worded email to Amazon.com regarding their policy of selling cockfighting magazines and dog fight videos. As these two activities are illegal in almost every state, to sell this product promotes support of these horrific activities.

I got a quick response back from Amazon.com giving me the party line regarding "right to choose entertainment and reading materials" which I find completely off point for this argument. Having spent a ton of money with this company, I advised them I will not continue to do business with them until they stop selling death.

Please let amazon.com know that our dollars are more influential that the miscreants that subscribe to those 'sports'.

Good luck & good dogs!

snownose

Posted : 6/16/2007 5:53:31 AM

I got a quick response back from Amazon.com giving me the party line regarding "right to choose entertainment and reading materials" which I find completely off point for this argument. Having spent a ton of money with this company, I advised them I will not continue to do business with them until they stop selling death.

They call that entertainment?[8|]
I am with you....no more buying from amazon.com........

polarexpress

Posted : 6/16/2007 5:42:32 PM

Please link to the materials you are describing. I did a search on Amazon and the video I found "off the chain" had the following description:

Plot Synopsis: At the turn of the century, the pit-bull was America's favorite pet. How did it go from Pete in the Little Rascals to public enemy number 1. This documentary is an undercover look at the world of dog fighting and how its damaged the breed. Its not bad dogs, its bad owners.

I did not find any videos promoting the training of fighting dogs, but I did find some histories of certian breeds used for fighting and a reprint of a book from 1888 about fighting dogs which seems to be more of an historical document than a how-to book.

I would find it very interesting if Amazon were selling dog fighting videos because if dog fighting is a crime (which it is) then I would think selling a video and making money off it would be criminal too...and I would think that the Attorney General of whatever state Amazon is either a)incorporated in or b) has its servers could prosecute.

So if you have a link, please post!

rwbeagles

Posted : 6/16/2007 6:14:52 PM

I have also shopped at bookstores that sell HighTimes magazine.

Amazon is like a mall...many smaller entities using their service to sell many varied things. The same items can be found on eBay...I will use both services if they have items I need. I will avoid individual sellers that sell items I find issues with.

laura collins

Posted : 6/16/2007 6:25:19 PM

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles
I have also shopped at bookstores that sell HighTimes magazine.

Amazon is like a mall...many smaller entities using their service to sell many varied things. The same items can be found on eBay...I will use both services if they have items I need. I will avoid individual sellers that sell items I find issues with.

I don't quite understand you; your example is not strong: Marijuana is a choice; cockfighting and dogfighting are not a choice by the animals.

If everyone thought this way - Walmart wouldn't have stopped selling certain types of guns; just one example of pressure from "we the people." As a consumer, I have power as to whom I'll give my money to. For me, it is a moral imperative to not give money to people whom I believe are acting immorally.

The personal is political, and for some of us, we choose to live with a little less convenience to support our beliefs.

I was under the impression that this thread was for advocacy issues, not more endless debate. If you don't agree, then don't act on this information.

Liesje

Posted : 6/16/2007 6:55:20 PM

She's saying that Amazon doesn't really control what people sell. My breeder has an Amazon store. She sells books about dogs and dog training. Amazon isn't really involved directly besides serving as a host for her products. This is her store: [linkhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/index.html/103-3759816-9347828?ie=UTF8&sellerID=A1P0XTRQP393WQ]http://www.amazon.com/shops/forgreatdogs[/link] The products are stocked at her training facility, not by Amazon. So if she were selling things that you didn't agree with, why boycott Amazon and not just boycott the seller and contact them about your disapproval? Amazon is not really like Walmart. A better comparison would be a fair grounds hosting flea markets containing vendors who sold products you did not agree with.

laura collins

Posted : 6/16/2007 6:56:59 PM

If you were selling crack at the flea market, the owners could be held by police as responsible.

Liesje

Posted : 6/16/2007 7:36:08 PM

If you were selling crack at the flea market, the owners could be held by police as responsible.

Not necessarily. YouTube is not responsible for when people post videos against copyright laws or show illegal activity. I was once issued a cease and desist from the RIAA (long story) and my web hosting provider was not held responsible for my actions. Amazon might suspend a seller's online store, but I sincerely doubt they pre-screen every seller and every product.

polarexpress

Posted : 6/16/2007 7:51:21 PM

ORIGINAL: taosdogs

I was under the impression that this thread was for advocacy issues, not more endless debate. If you don't agree, then don't act on this information.

Hi---I am willing to act on this issue, but I need a link.[

] See my above posting about my search for dog fighting videos---what I found what a documentary/expose opposing mistreatments of pits.

If Amazon is selling videos which were made during the commision of a felony and actually entice others to commit a felony, then that may actionable by law enforcement---forget a simple boycott they would be forced to take the items off the website.

The YouTube example is a good one--if you post something illegally, then it gets taken down.

So please post.

rwbeagles

Posted : 6/16/2007 9:08:13 PM

Agreed. You do sign something when you LEASE space about minding the p's and q's about the site....that indemnifies them from action should YOU...as an adult...decide to sell verboten items. Pretty much the usual when it comes to consignment sales like amazon, eBay, etc. You, as an adult capable of reading the rules and agreeing to them, be responsible for your own crack...not the flea market...lol.