““Inflicting cruelty on a smaller, less powerful creature may make it easier to disregard the feelings of other living beings, whether humans or animals. The inability to empathize with others may lead to treating others in a manner consistent with the above symptoms of conduct disorder—with callous disregard, and without feelings of regret or remorse. If animal abuse interferes with the development of empathy, then interactions with others may not only be unkind or unpleasant, but violent as well.””
