Why does animal abuse happen in the first place?

In the past two years a dog was kicked repeatedly causing neighbors to come to the animals defense, another dog was thrown from a car on I-95, more than 100 animals were seized from a local kennel due to neglect, a family canine was poisoned, another dog was found scalded, multiple dogs’ remains were found burned in a park and three pit bulls were found emaciated and ill near an elementary school. A teacher saw them and gave the animals her lunch. One died in the care of animal control, another would have died except for the generosity of a local animal welfare group. The two surviving have new homes and new lives.

http://www.ctbulletin.com/articles/2010/07/28/news/doc4c503c6a8d286976006988.txt