The Show Your Soft Side campaign is lawyering up.
The local public service campaign has pulled a host of celebrities to pose with furry friends on billboards to raise awareness of animal abuse.
For the spring 2015 campaign, however, the organization is spotlighting the people who are responsible for getting animal abusers off the streets in Baltimore County.
Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Lippe and paralegal April Doherty, who run the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Animal Abuse Unit, are the latest poster subjects.
The poster was unveiled earlier this week at a happy hour event at the Rec Room. Amid plenty of jokes about the poster being photocopied many times around the office, Lippe and Doherty learned that their likeness would be appearing on billboards. Doherty also had a coloring book made for the kids.
Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger said the Animal Abuse Unit was entirely the idea of the duo.
“They do extra work for no pay,” he said.
Lippe said he saw many animals “disappear” after witnessing violence while growing up in New Jersey. Doherty has also been involved in a legal defense fund for animal abuse at the University of Baltimore.
The choice also got the support of Past poster subject and local MMA champion John Rallo.
“Since I can’t run around the county choking the hell out of some sick, I’m glad April and Adam are ensured that justice is being served,” he said.
