Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

NY Times Op-Ed columnist, Nicholas Kristof, broke the news of an undercover investigation by the Humane Society at Krieder Farms, an industrial egg farm.  The Humane Society reported hens at Krieder Farms have even less than the 67-inch federal standard.  Kristof provides, in harrowing detail, the many instances of inhumane treatment at Krieder Farms.  Why do we love our dogs, but mistreat our chickens?  Is it just out of sight, out of mind?