Case of Camden Child Chained to Radiator Inspires PETA Billboard

According to the report, the planned billboard is a response to the arrests of a Camden mother and her boyfriend from Blackwood who allegedly chained the woman’s 10-year-old son to a radiator in her basement for two weeks.

A picture of the billboard posted on nbcphiladelphia.com depicts a baby sitting outside with his neck in a shackle attached to a chain. The image is accompanied by the words, “CRUEL! Kids don’t belong in chains. Dogs don’t, either. Families belong indoors.”

According to the report, Camden’s current ordinance prohibits pet owners and caretakers from restraining their pets outside for more than two hours straight.

PETA has been outspoken on its blog about the issue of restraining animals. 

Following the arrests on Tuesday, Alisa Mullins wrote a blog post stating that dogs, like children, are “highly social beings who need love, attention, exercise and social interaction” to naturally mature.

The post was also inspired by the arrests made on Tuesday.

Brian L. Craig, 29, of Blackwood, and Florence M. Pollard, 31, of Camden, were both charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree criminal restraint for allegedly chaining her 10-year-old son to a radiator in the basement of her home for two weeks.

The son, identified as M.P., his two sisters and three brothers were taken into custody by the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency on Tuesday. The children range in age from seven months to 11 years old.

Craig was released on $100,000 bail at midnight on Wednesday, according to the Camden County Jail.

According to the report, it is not yet known where the billboard will be placed in the city.