Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.

Nintendogs Blamed for Enticing Real Dog to Attack Child

This article is over 14 years old and may contain outdated information
image

Be careful, because playing Nintendogs can apparently get you attacked by a real dog.

A somewhat disturbing story has come out of the UK about a little girl that was viciously attacked by a dog possibly because she was playing Nintendogs. While this might at first seem like the unjust blaming of videogames by a publication known somewhat for doing so (the Daily Mail), this attack actually could be the result of an unfortunate coincidence this time.

Nine-year-old Megan Walker was playing Nintendogs on her Nintendo DS at a family friend’s abode while the house Bull Mastiff named Saracen was sleeping in a nearby room. Reportedly, when the Mastiff heard Walker’s in-game dogs barking it came gunning for her, dragged her off of a sofa, and bit a large portion of her lip off.

The girl was taken to a hospital where surgeons were able to sew her lip back on. Though she’s doing better, it’s unknown if she’ll need plastic surgery or not. The mastiff was put down as a result of the attack.

Walker recounts what happened: “[Nintendogs] barked and Saracen dragged me off the couch by my foot. I was scared.” Walker’s grandmother says: “I blame the game for what happened to Megan. If they hadn’t been playing it I don’t think the dog would have gone for her.”

So what do you think? Is it actually possible that the noises coming from Nintendogs were the trigger for such a violent attack? Some dogs certainly have violent tendencies, but the dog’s owner told police that that little girl may have kicked Saracen, so videogames weren’t the only possibility here.

In this case, above others, it actually seems plausible that a videogame was partially and coincidentally responsible for a terrible event, though I wouldn’t exactly blame Shigeru Miyamoto for a coincidence. Then again, if a dog is that violent it shouldn’t be running free around nine-year-olds, so its owner was ultimately responsible rather than the game.

Source: Daily Mail

Recommended Videos

The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.Ā Learn more about our Affiliate Policy