Rapper Snoop Dogg is a menace to society, at least in the Netherlands, where Dutch officials have banned him from performing at an upcoming music festival. Snoop said he is “astonished” by decision.

The rapper, who has cultivated a gangsta’ image and has had recurring legal problems, was slated to perform a the free outdoor Parkpop Music Festival June 27 in the Hague.

He was on the bill with singer/actress Juliette Lewis and German pop star Ne na.

But city officials objected to the rapper’s involvement in the festival. They said his concert was canceled “in order to preserve the free, open and friendly na ture of Parkpop.”

His record label EMI released the following statement in response to the move:

“Snoop Dogg is astonished by the decision of the Mayor of The Hague. (He) is a mainstay at music festivals all over the world and has performed at all of these without incident.”

Snoop, real name Calvin Broadus, has had other troubles in Europe.

He only recently gained permission to return to the U.K., after an incident at London’s Heathrow Airport in 2006 led to his arrest and his expulsion from the country.

British officials said he was a threat, because of prior drug and firearms offenses.

But the rapper challenged the ruling in court and the ban was lifted earlier this year, allowing him to headline the legendary Glastonbury festival on of the UK’s biggest, this summer.