Yes, I do. The pent-up frustrations of an individual seek a release. There is also an interesting correlation between those who commit rape and those who abuse animals. In the case of an animal abuser, the animals cannot speak, and thus cannot tell who abused them. However, not all childhood animal abusers become criminals in other areas, because they either out grow such anti-social behavior, or because they are afraid of being caught.
Animal abuse is a safer form of violent behavioral release.
As I mentioned above, in some children this may be a passing phase, but I doubt that it is really a form of confusion. The child knows what he or she is doing. Such a person may learn not to behave in a certain unacceptable manner, but the root cause can still remain. As I mentioned above, the connection between slaughterhouse worker and domestic violence is a perfect example. Violent behavior in one area of a person's life usually expands itself to other areas, too.