What is wrong with people?

I've been reading a blog/website that documents cases of abuse against animals ( www.pet-abuse.com ). I've read story after story and each one is just more disturbing than the last, I relish in the updates where the abuser receives his justice or the animal makes a full recovery and is adopted into a new loving home. I can't help but think, "what the fuck, makes people do these things to animals?" and I always pull my furry children closer and give them a big smooch or an extra long scratch behind the ears. I just don't, and I hope I never do, understand what makes people do horrible things to animals. I highly recommend reading some of the stories, even if it's only to make you cherish your own animals even more. I must warn you, it's not for the faint of heart.