the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > ill-treatment > ill-treat [verb (transitive)] > an animal in specific way (4)
transitive. To irritate, annoy, or tease (an animal).
To irritate (an animal) by a repetition of feigned attacks, etc.
transitive. (a) To put in a canister. (b) To fasten a canister to the tail of (a dog).
transitive. To tie a tin can or the like to the tail of (a dog, etc.) to distress and frighten him.