Animal Abusers Equal Baby Abusers

Update: After receiving a complaint from Leslie Franks Solicitors that the description of its client hadn’t made the distinction that Barker was not convicted of murder but rather of “causing or allowing” the death of Baby P, PETA U.K. redesigned this billboard. Convicted child abusers’ violent acts send just as clear a warning to anyone who might overlook animal abuse.

It’s been shown many times that those who abuse animals often go on to commit violence against human beings. (Remember what Eli Roth said?)

With that in mind, our friends at PETA UK have just placed a billboard in Haringey, the North London borough that is now infamous for being the location of the horrific abuse of “Baby P,” a 17-month old boy who was found dead in his bed with a broken back, his fingertips sliced off, and his fingernails pulled out with pliers. He was also punched so hard in the face that he swallowed a tooth.

As a child, Baby P’s abuser, Steven Barker, tortured animals, including frogs, whom he would skin before breaking their legs. How much suffering could have been prevented if Barker’s fascination with inflicting torture on animals had been taken more seriously?

Baby P’s case is a chilling reminder that cruelty-to-animals cases must be reported and aggressively prosecuted in order to protect helpless victims of all species.

Written by Amanda Schinke