Which is worse: Justin Bieber risking life and limb by posing with a tiger — or being devoured by PETA on social media?

The pop singer was “lucky not to have his throat torn out,” said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The dust-up began after Bieber posted a photo of himself with the big cat on Instagram — which provoked vicious comments.

A photo posted by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on

Then PETA and others weighed in — some with an amused eye. (“PETA should have scolded the tiger for posing with Bieber, poor tiger, how humiliated he must feel!”)

PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange told E! News in a statement. “Tigers used for photo ops are torn away from their mothers shortly after birth, and the Bowmanville Zoo, in particular, was caught whipping one tiger more than 17 times, even after the cat was lying on his back in a position of submission and fear.

“This is why PETA urges everyone to stay far away from cruel and dangerous big-cat photo ops and also why we’re asking Justin to vow that this will be his last time promoting these types of abusive outfits.”

NBC New York added:

“While PETA claims the tiger ‘appears’ to belong to Ontario’s Bowmanville Zoo, the ownership of the animal has yet to be confirmed. Michael Hackenberger, the owner of Bowmanville Zoo, was recently charged for animal cruelty (specifically, for brutally whipping a young tiger). Hackenberger stepped down as the zoo’s director after being charged.”

Bieber defenders piped up:

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