Actually, I've never had much trouble removing duct tape off anything. And as said, the baby doesnt look distressed or harmed in anyway. The parents at least made it just like those pouches. I'm not saying I would do it, heck I would never do it. It's stupid and it can get you into legal trouble if the wrong crowd sees it. It is a little distasteful but it truthfully can't be defined as cruel. I've seen much worse pictures on the Internet.