The are cowards. They injure pets because they dont get the consept of 'picking on someone your own size.

I have found that those who lack control in their lives will mistreat those things weaker then they are to make up for the feeling of weakness in themselves.

For the same reason they mistreat children, the elderly and the physically and/or mentally challenged. They are basically inadequate, cowardy, pathetic people who feel powerful when they cause fear and pain by brutalizing someone or something weaker than themselves. People like this only choose victims who can't fight back.

Some people mistreat anything they have power over.

I think they look at them as "property" and they think they have no feelings and souls so they have a right to treat them as they please.. Property, you kick, throw around and when you get finished with it, throw it out.. that's how they do it.. Some may get them thinking they will bring joy to their life as a little puppy oo kitten, then they grow up and they aren't so cute anymore or they get sick and they REFUSE to pay vet bills and well..you know the rest..

There are many reasons, going for lack of information up to sadism. 1) For instance, children who don't get some information from their parents could mistreat pets: "Hurting Pets The rule "Don't hurt your pet, because animals feel pain and sadness just like people." (Sometimes preschoolers are unduly rough with pets because they equate them with toys.) Discipline technique Verbal disapproval followed by time-out. Praise Praise your child for playing gently with a pet. Model Treat animals gently. Not Feeding Pets The rule "Pets must be fed or they will starve." Discipline technique Give an "I" message, such as, "I really feel sorry for Charlie when you don't feed him." In addition, help your child come up with a reminder system, such as a small note on his mirror to help him remember to feed the pet. Sometimes delaying a privilege and linking it with the chore can be helpful (e.g., "No dinner for you until Charlie's been fed"). Praise Praise your child for feeding the pet in a timely manner. Model Feed your child in a timely manner." Source and further information: "B.D. Schmitt, MD, author of "Your Child's Health," " http://www.austinregionalclinic.com/ehealth_info/mckesson/pa_petmb_hhg.htm 2) Even if you know the basics, you could not consider some further elements when getting a pet: "Millions of Americans know the joy of having pets. Dogs and cats are the most popular house pets because they provide good companionship (sometimes in human ways). College students deserve the chance to have pets as companions once they move out of the residence halls and into housing where animals are permitted. But many students do not consider what their pets deserve. Section 3 of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act says‚ "Each owner shall provide for each of his animals (a) sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water; (b) adequate shelter and protection from the weather; (c) veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering; (d) humane care and treatment" (510 ILCS 70/3). These may seem like the no-brainers of animal treatment, but many students take on a pet only to find out later that they can't afford proper care but they still keep the animal. I've heard people ask‚ "Why should I take my dog to the vet every year when he is perfectly healthy?" Remember that animals can't tell you if their legs hurt or their stomachs hurt. Many people wouldn't notice if a dog or cat were slightly limping. Some people don't understand that a change in animal behavior is usually indicative of a health problem. It goes without saying that if you get a dog or cat, you should have it spayed or neutered. Bob Barker‚ host of "The Price is Right," knows what he's talking about. He says‚ "Help control the pet population." Having your pet fixed also eliminates potentially dangerous mating-related behavior like fighting or spraying. It keeps more unwanted animals from being born and abandoned or put in shelters to be euthanized. Despite the likelihood of euthanasia, an animal shelter is the best place to leave your pet. If you can no longer care for the pet properly or you can't find anyone who can do so, then take it to an animal shelter. Do not abandon your pet. It is a death sentence for a domesticated pet, and it is illegal. Section 3.01, also from the IHCA statute, states, "No owner may abandon any animal where it may become a public charge or may suffer injury, hunger or exposure." The first conviction of this offense is a Class A misdemeanor. The second is a Class IV felony, and it is not worth it. I have lived with cats and dogs‚ and I understand the joy of owning a pet. Remember that your animal deserves more than just love. They deserve proper care." Source and further information: http://media.www.westerncourier.com/media/storage/paper650/news/2004/03/24/Opinion/Animals.Are.Our.Friends.Stop.Mistreating.Pets-639735.shtml 3) "Honestly, I think that a large amount of pets are very well treated and some even better than most people. But one pet mistreated is a "NO NO" and there are thousands who are treated very bad. Other studies show that people who mistreat animals are more like to commit violent crime and/or end up in jail. Studies also show that pets can help people with depression, high blood pressure, stress, decreasing the risk of having a heart attack, different therapeutic care, can sense the onset of a seizures and many many health hazzards besides just making life a little more habitable." Source and further information: http://www.swpc.net/~dbest/our_dogs/our_dogs_home.htm 4) "If you don't like 'em, don't get 'em. Sounds like common sense, you'd think, but that doesn't seem to be the case when you see how many people treat their animals with such hatred. They're not toys. They're not objects. They're not impulse buys. They're not ornaments. If you want a pet that you can ignore, get a virtual pet. Pets grow up. They're not going to stay as puppies or kittens their whole life. Those cute little baby rabbits can grow really big and they have a good life span. That tiny little goldfish can grow up to twelve inches long (I know, mine are!), 24 if it's a koi. Those little iguanas start off small, sure, but they get HUGE! Taking in a dozen or so stray cats into your one-bedroom apartment, while I know you mean well, you're not doing them any favors! Then there are those people who outwardly mistreat their animals, shooting them with BB guns, locking them in their cars at the mall (who the hell needs to bring their dog with them when they go shopping, anyway?), making them fight with each other . . . these people need a beating, in a big way." Source and further information: http://www.rateitall.com/i-552556-people-who-mistreat-or-neglect-their-pets.aspx 5) " I am very concerned about my four-and-a-half-year-old daughter. She has fits of rage. Today she hit our nine-week-old puppy on the head with a plastic toy because "he chased after her ball and chewed on it." I could not believe my eyes when I saw her hit him. We have only had the puppy for a few weeks and this is the second time. The first time the puppy made her mad she threw him on the ground and kicked him. My husband was beside himself. Should we get rid of the puppy?" "I think that your daughter has demonstrated that she cannot restrain herself from hurting or being unkind to cats and dogs, at least up to this point. Some little kids end up unnerving or hurting pets by hugging them too hard or swinging them around by their legs, but their purpose in the hug or the swinging around was to show affection or to play with the animal. That doesn't seem to be the case with your daughter's treatment of your former cat and current puppy." Source and further information: http://life.familyeducation.com/behavioral-problems/pets/41793.html 6) Further information: - "Don't Mistreat Your Cat": http://ezinearticles.com/?Dont-Mistreat-Your-Cat&id=501562 - "Stop Animal Abuse/Mistreatment by Pet Owners": http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-animal-abuse-mistreatment-by-pet-owners.html - "Problem Pets - Freddy the mistreated cat": http://www.abc.net.au/tv/petshow/txt/s1790417.htm - "Chinese Zoo Puts On a Show, but Mistreats Animals": http://internet-pets.blogspot.com/2008/02/chinese-zoo-puts-on-show-but-mistreats.html