BERLIN (Reuters) - A German man who taught his dog Adolf to give a Hitler salute by raising his right paw has been charged with violating Germany's anti-Nazi laws, a Berlin court said Wednesday.
Police investigated after members of the public complained they had seen the man giving the stiff-arm "Hitler salute" and telling his dog: "Adolf sit, give me the salute!," a court spokeswoman said.
As he was questioned by police the man ordered his black mongrel to give them the Hitler salute as well, she said.
Germany has strict laws banning the use of Nazi symbols, but the man, Roland Thein, sporting a Hitler-style mustache and military tunic, said he didn't understand what the fuss was about.
Thein demonstrated Adolf's "Hitler salute" trick to a Reuters photographer in his back yard in southwestern Berlin after summoning the dog from a kennel with "Adolf" painted over the entrance.
"Adolf, give me the salute!" Thein barked as the dog raised his right paw.
Thein also said he welcomed the media attention he and his dog were getting. The trial is set for Thursday.
Thein is also accused of shouting the Nazi battle cry "Sieg Heil" in front of Berlin police and of wearing a "Hitler" T-shirt and shouting "Heil Hitler" at a market in the city.
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Police investigated after members of the public complained they had seen the man giving the stiff-arm "Hitler salute" and telling his dog: "Adolf sit, give me the salute!," a court spokeswoman said.
As he was questioned by police the man ordered his black mongrel to give them the Hitler salute as well, she said.
Germany has strict laws banning the use of Nazi symbols, but the man, Roland Thein, sporting a Hitler-style mustache and military tunic, said he didn't understand what the fuss was about.
Thein demonstrated Adolf's "Hitler salute" trick to a Reuters photographer in his back yard in southwestern Berlin after summoning the dog from a kennel with "Adolf" painted over the entrance.
"Adolf, give me the salute!" Thein barked as the dog raised his right paw.
Thein also said he welcomed the media attention he and his dog were getting. The trial is set for Thursday.
Thein is also accused of shouting the Nazi battle cry "Sieg Heil" in front of Berlin police and of wearing a "Hitler" T-shirt and shouting "Heil Hitler" at a market in the city.
...
