I assume that the timing of this long-known-but-rarely-discussed issue becoming a major fact-checked, ridiculed, talked-about, proven and expanded-on (adrenochrome) meme was arranged by the Trump campaign and/or other White Hats. It is pure genius.
Compared to humans, dogs and cats are all feeling and emotion. Dogs (and cats) help open us up to our own feelings and bring our love to the foreground. There is too-little love in the lives of most people -- probably more true of Woke lefties than of well-grounded MAGA types -- and that effect makes us feel strongly bonded to our pets.
Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of Dogs Never Lie About Love and other books, says that "love is the master emotion of dogs." Any pet owner can FEEL that reality (unless they're seriously closed off to it) and since love is a core need for humans -- see Jesus' words on Love in John: 13:34 - 13:35 -- our dogs (or cats) become far more important to us than many non-pet-owners might think.
The emotional punch of this cruelty to animals thing is huge and I suspect the effects will continue to grow. It's a crowbar into the healthy (but often buried or stunted) emotions of millions.
It’s effective. As most people in Western Societies love and value their pets over the lives of strangers. As the pets are family. Most people instinctively love and value their family. Whatever form that may take over strangers. Which works for small Tribes and Clans. Not so well if you’re trying to build a society and culture beyond a handful of people or a remote Village/Town.
Part of why many religions encourage taking the thoughts, feelings, and wellbeing of Strangers into account. Treating them kindly etc. And It’s not because Humans are naturally predisposed to holding hands and singing Koombya with strangers. Even if we are the same Species. If it were. Such instructions like “Love thy Neighbor” being ordained from on High wouldn’t be necessary.
In fact through most of our History. Strangers arriving to the Village or roaming through your slice of the countryside. Or seeing strange ships on the Horizon. Often indicated bad news.