Man who paid £12,000 to transform into a dog says he’s ‘sad’ about receiving online abuse

He's bitten back at the cruel abuse

The Youtuber, known only as Toco, started making headlines for his barking-mad antics last year, and has since been posting video updates showing him effectively living life as a rough collie.

Toco waited 40 days for the costumes to be made and in a recent video posted to his 30,000 subscribers, he was filmed playing in his backyard while also performing tricks in exchange for dog food.

Having also ventured out into the big wide-world, Toco has also encountered other people and animals for the first time. While some are impressed, other dogs have been left fearing the bespoke border collie, with one owner pulling their pet away, saying: “He’s scared. He’s scared.”

But following the video, Toco has opened up on the online comments he has received and says that the hate being posted is making him "sad".

He said: "I'm just sad that people can think that. I love animals and enjoy play-acting like a collie. This is my hobby, so I will carry on. It makes me happy and other people happy, too."

During an interview with the Daily Mail last year he revealed that becoming an animal was his number one dream growing up.

"Ever since I was a small child, I wanted to be an animal. I think it is a desire to transform," Toco added.

"I've thought about it since I can remember."

Since becoming a big online presence, Toco has said he isn't ready to reveal the man behind the mask as he doesn't want to affect his day-to-day life.

"I don't want my hobbies to be known," he said, "especially by the people I work with."

"They think it's weird that I want to be a dog. For the same reason why I can't show my real face."

Related links:

• Man who spent more than £12,000 to become a dog is worried his friends might think he’s ‘weird’
• Man who spent £12,500 to become a dog has now bought himself a huge cage
• Japanese man spends £12,480 to look like a border collie – and it kind of works