Dog in court over Nazi salute

[ConcernedCanuk]

, , Dog in court over Nazi salute
October 14, 2003

A GERMAN man who taught his dog to raise its right paw in a Hitler salute is to appear in court this week in Berlin.

The black mongrel sheepdog, called Adolf, is alleged to have performed the trick at his master's request in front of two policemen.

They had been called in to question 54-year-old Roland T after he shouted "Sieg Heil" and raised his own right arm in a salute.

Roland T, who lives in Lichtenrade, southern Berlin, is further accused of wearing a T-shirt with a picture of the Nazi dictator and of shouting Hitler slogans on previous occasions.



. .

. UNFRICKINBELIEVABLE ! ! !

FIX LINK

[alphafemale]

1. ...his Master's voice?

:silly:

Poor dog.

[WillParkinson]

2. I'm confused...

It's wrong. It's disturbing. But it's illegal? Who knew?

[MSchreader]

7. In Germany, yes

It is illegal -- to display a swastika, to give a fascist salute, or to display a picture of Hitler, outside of historical limits.

Martin

[Kellanved]

8. It is illegal

Not the Dog part, but the T-Shirt, the "Sieg Heil" and the salute are illegal. (and the Dog probably wasn't muzzled ...)

Germany (as France) has a "wehrhafte" (can't really translate it; means something like defensive by aggression) constitution. Being against the constitution is actually unconstitutional - don't get the wrong expression: It is OK to say (or wear a T-Shirt with) "Die Germany"; but Hitler, Swastikas etc. are unconstitutional.

This is a limit on Free Speech introduced with good reason - a lesson learned from the Weimar Republic. The post war constitution has means to stop people plotting against democracy and more checks & balances than almost any other constitution ever written.


To put it into perspective: the constitution was written for an occupied nation and was meant to invalidate itself should Germany regain sovereignty. Well Germany did, and all decided that the Constitution (Basic Law) was actually pretty cool and thus it was reinstalled - minus the automatic invalidation and the reunification parts.

[Equinox]

3. OMG......

Have I heard it all?

Good grief....

For what it's worth (and I don't agree with the fucker) but free speech is something that shouldn't be messed with.

edit: even dogs have rights too :-)

chalk it up as animal abuse :evilgrin:

[Drifter]

4. Jeeze ...

my dog used to do that when I said "shake"

Cheers
Drifter

[emad]

5. Don't tell Dumbo, 'cos he might want to mate it with

Spot, or Woofy or whatever the other one is called...

[Vikingking66]

6. after WWII, Germany officially banned Nazism

Freedom of speech doesn't cover anything relating to Nazism, such as Holocaust denial. LePen, the French neofascist, was jailed there once for denying the Holocaust in a speech. Neo-nazi political parties are forbidden, and new ones are routinely shut down.

It's harsh, but you have to give the German government credit for taking the matter seriously. They really go after Neo-Nazis, especially when they deface Holocaust memorials and things. Whenever there is a Neo-Nazi rally, there's always a counter-rally.

[Bucky]

9. How could this be?

I don't see how a dog could give a Nazi salute. After all, dogs are--and there's no nice way to say this--completely limp-wristed and sub-human.

...oh wait, I get it now

[Kellanved]

11. that's the dog

And contrary to the article the dog is neither in court (dogs aren't allowed to enter the court-building) nor accused.

The holder is a different matter: he is a known offender, and believed to be mentally disrupted after a grave accident. The court has to decide whatever he is sane, and if yes judge his actions. The maximal punishment for offenses like that is 3 years.

http://www.berlinonline.de/berliner-kurier/berlin/20800.html

[mbartko]

10. I wonder if they'll teach that trick to Pickles

[UTUSN]

12. Is This It?

[joshdawg]

13. That's it!!!

Bravo! Great post!

[beyurslf]

14. Where did that

photo come from? Puts him into perspective, doesn't it?

[ScotTissue]

15. Too ridiculous

I can't even believe how stupid and funny that is.

[bobthedrummer]

16. OMG, we are both 54.

Left and Right as can be too. He taught his dog how to Heil...