It is not so much that an animal died within such a gruesome manner, not understanding   why it was happening, but the lack of caring, or empathy, for the animal, by the a-holes that allowed this animal to die, simply because they could not be bothered to simply open a freaking door to allow the animal to at least be given a chance upon their own survival skill, from a drugged out psychopathic couple, whom chose not to do so.

Many studies about serial killers of humans have shown that said killers began with the killing of various animals through torture, whether wild, or domestic.

So.

Mine own query unto those that state that this was 'just' a dog, or any other animal, do you think that they would have held any greater empathy for a young human child, stuck within a car seat, and left to die the same way?

The issue is not the type of animal involved, but the attitude of the arrested individuals that allowed the animal to die within such a horrific manner.

They deserve punishment.