I always find it interesting to see responses to articles like this where the full story is not in the article. For all we know the child had a variety of issues they did not feel prepared to handle as foster parents, and abusing the animals was one of the ways the child manifested this behavior. For all we know, they sought counseling for the child and things didn't improve. Etc.
I'm sure there's more to the story and I assume they were getting the little girl help and it was ineffective, based on my assumptions, my gut reactions is furbabies first.
I think that anyone who wants to be a foster parent has to understand their limits before going into fostering. When a child comes along that is beyond those limits, they have every right to say, "We cannot do this!" It doesn't really matter what that limit is, as long as it is clearly stated.
Re: HTT: Kids and pets eee.