A SHOCK anti-animal torture billboard has been put up in Haringey using the mugshot of Baby P killer Stephen Barker.

The two-week campaign being run by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) carries the chilling message: "People who are violent toward animals rarely stop there".

It also appeals to Haringey residents to report cruelty to animals immediately.

The billboard is being displayed exclusively in Broad Lane, Tottenham, on the corner near Arc Carwash.

PETA hope to higlight that studies show that those who abuse animals often go on to commit violence against fellow humans.

It was revealed that Barker, who grew up on the Ferry Lane Estate, enjoyed torturing guinea pigs and skinned frogs before breaking their legs.

He had also previously been prosecuted by the RSPCA for cruelty to animals.

Barker was jailed for life on May 22, 2009, for his role in Baby Peter's death and for raping a 2-year-old girl.

Baby P died after suffering a catalogue of injuries including a broken back and had his fingertips sliced off and his nails removed possibly with pliers.

PETA’s director of special projects, Poorva Joshipura, said: "Cases such as the Baby P case and sociological studies galore show just how vital it is that people intervene when a child commits a sadistic or violent act towards an animal.

"Abusers are generally cowards who enjoy the feeling of power they get when they victimise any defenceless living being, and they must get counselling and correction early on."

The American Psychiatric Association identifies cruelty to animals as a diagnostic criterion for conduct disorders.

And the US Federal Bureau of Investigation uses reports of crimes against animals in analysing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals.

Child killers including Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, Ian Huntley, Fred West and Ian Brady are all believed to have been deliberate animal abusers before their crimes escalated.

A PETA spokesman said there were plans to place the ad nationally and were currently exploring their options.