Of course it was torture.
These jerks cut the vocal chords of the dogs so they wouldn’t have to listen to their suffering cries. Which is to say, they knew they would cry in pain and took steps to avoid their own conscience at the expense of the dogs.
And for what purpose?
Humans have known what insects will do to animals for 1000s of years.
This is mental illness on full display.
Josef Mengele is smiling from Hell.