Sociologists found more empathy for victims who are human children, so children, puppies and full grown dogs. A caso doesn't even have to be a puppy, full grown dog. Full grown dogs gome in before the full grown humans, right? I do find it troubling, but i think the simplest explanation is that it's easier to feel sempathy or to exhibit kindness toward pets, even strange pets, than to strange people, or sometimes even people we know well.