Man who posted video of himself training a dog to perform a Nazi salute has application to appeal rejected by Supreme Court

A man who shared footage of himself training a dog to perform a Nazi salute has had his application to appeal rejected by the Supreme Court.

Mark Meechan, also known by the alias Count Dankula, had been found guilty by Airdrie Sheriff Court of breaching the Communications Act by publishing material that was racist, grossly offensive and antisemitic in nature at a trial in April 2018, after he uploaded a video of his girlfriend’s dog lifting its paw when he said “Sieg Heil” and reacting to the phrase, “Gas the Jews”. He was ordered to pay £800.

He reportedly refused to pay the fine but the money was seized from his bank account by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.

Mr Meechan took his case to the Supreme Court after several appeals in Scottish courts had failed, but his application to appeal on human rights grounds was rejected on the basis that it was “incompetent” and “without merit”. Mr Meechan had funded his legal case by crowdfunding almost £200,000.

Although he has reportedly noted that the European Court of Human Rights might be the final option remaining, he indicated that he may redirect the money raised to charity instead.