What began as a bizarre protest quickly turned into a global controversy that few saw coming.
A Moroccan YouTuber has sparked widespread controversy after posting a disturbing video that quickly drew international attention. The creator, known online as Ben Nesnness, uploaded footage showing himself skinning, cooking, and eating a dog. Although YouTube removed the video shortly after it was published, it reportedly received around 200,000 views before being taken down.
According to multiple reports, the YouTuber was arrested soon after the video went viral. As of now, it remains unclear what penalties he could face if convicted.
YouTuber Denies Killing The Dog
The biggest point of controversy is whether the YouTuber actually killed the dog himself. He strongly denies those accusations. In another video that remains available on his channel, he claims he found the animal already dead on the side of the road after it had been struck by a vehicle. According to him, the footage simply documents the discovery of the animal, not its death.
He also shared several lengthy written statements describing his emotional state. In them, he says that many people are trying to destroy his life and that he feels overwhelmed by negativity. While those messages have been interpreted in different ways, they suggest that he has been under significant emotional strain.
A Protest Against Rising Meat Prices
The YouTuber says his actions were intended as a protest against the rising cost of sheep, particularly during Eid al-Adha, when demand for livestock traditionally increases. Because sheep prices often surge ahead of the holiday, he claims his shocking video was meant to draw attention to the issue.
However, most viewers did not see the video as a political statement. Instead, it was widely viewed as an offensive and deeply disturbing stunt.
American YouTuber AugustTheDuck has also now weighed in, arguing that the situation should be viewed with nuance. He says that if the dog was intentionally killed for the video, he would strongly condemn the act. If the animal was already dead, however, he believes the situation deserves a more balanced discussion.
He also questions whether one should face criminal charges for insulting a religion, one of the apparent charges against Nesnness. In his view, religious beliefs should not determine criminal law or government punishment.