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Trial for man who '˜trained dog to give Nazi salute'

A man who filmed a pet dog giving Nazi salutes then put the footage on YouTube should be convicted of committing a hate crime, a court has been told.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jan 2018, 18:13 BST
Updated 6th Jan 2018, 18:23 BST
Markus Meechan's video of his girlfriend's dog Buddha. Picture: YouTubeMarkus Meechan's video of his girlfriend's dog Buddha. Picture: YouTube
Markus Meechan's video of his girlfriend's dog Buddha. Picture: YouTube

Mark Meechan, 30, recorded his girlfriend’s pug, Buddha, responding to statements such as “gas the Jews” and “Sieg Heil” by raising its paw.

After complaints about the content, Meechan was arrested for allegedly committing a hate crime by uploading footage on to the video-sharing website in April 2016.

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The original clip had been viewed more than three million times on YouTube.

Mr Meechan, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, on ­trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court, denies wrongdoing. He said he made the video to annoy his girlfriend, Suzanne Kelly.

Prosecutors allege he communicated material that would cause fear and alarm and stir up hatred on religious grounds by posting a clip which was “antisemitic in nature” to YouTube.

He also faces an alternative charge of posting a video which was grossly offensive because it was “antisemitic and racist in nature”, and the prosecution claimed that it was aggravated by religious prejudice.

The trial continues.