[freedumb2003]

Is the penalty given for what he did to the animal, or for what he did to the animal's owner?

A kitten isn't a mouse or a fly. Dogs and cats have an approximate mentality of a 3 year old (mice don't have reasoning ability). So hurting or killing a pet (something about interacting with humans enhances part of their brains) is the same as hurting or killing a 3 year old child.

Also, torturing animals almost always leads to doing the same to humans.

And yes, hurting a pet hurts the owner. If someone was to hurt my cat (see my profile), I would end their life it at all possible.

[swain_forkbeard]

"Hurting or killing a pet...is the same as hurting or killing a 3 year old child."

I hope you're joking or at least exaggerating your position. Really.