This woman is a loon, too bad it was her innocent friend that will be unimaginably disfigured for life (if she survives). I've read her comments in various news articles. She typifies the "animal as human child" pet owner who views animals as their "children". They even have their own quaint little vernacular; fur kids, fur children, fur parents, fur mom, et. al.
They're almost always animal rights wingnut types. And for some reason, a majority of these types that I've encountered are homosexual. Probably something to do with the whole 'can't produce off-spring by inseminating a turd or muff diving' thing that seems to be the source of much consternation and resentment among some homosexuals (who refer to heterosexuals as "breeders" and
not in a benign way).
While some pet owners might use these terms affectionately without going off the deep-end, many actually view and treat their animals through quasi-anthropomorphic or truly anthropomorphic filters that fundamentally blur the distinction between animals and humans. One of the greatest contributors to poor owner-pet outcomes and pets that develop dysfunctional/neurotic/unwanted behaviors are owners who believe their pets are capable of human characteristics such as reason, logic, and human 'feelings'. As a result, they place impossible expectations or responsibility on the pet, interpreting animal behavior and mannerisms through innate or learned
human understanding that is valid or appropriate only for humans.
I'm not sure what contribution to the rise of this flakey sub-culture we should attribute to 50+ years of Walt Disney's overt efforts to indoctrinate children with thinly veiled anti-hunting propaganda and anthropomorphic animated films. I'm actually somewhat surprised such pervasive exposure of millions upon millions of children to intentional brainwashing has been so slow to produce effect.
I guess animals are more tastey than they are cute? On second thought, humans may share more in common with animals than I previously alluded.