system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do we empathize with animals more than we do with other human beings?

I noticed that I feel empathy for dogs to a greater extent and more easily than I do for other human beings. From an evolutionary perspective, maybe it is because humans are competition? Maybe because animal/dog nature is less evil compared to human nature? What are people's thoughts? I know there probably isn't a clear-cut, simple answer, but I wanted to generate some discussion.
gpt
I think it has to innocence and simplicity. A lot of people feel the same way about children. There's this idea that animals and children don't "deserve" any harm that is coming to them. If someone were to beat up an adult man (and yes, it can and does depend on gender), a reasonable assumption could be made that they did something to cause that to happen. But with a child or an animal, they are seen as innocent, and therefore are not at fault. Even if they did do something, it is noted that they did not know any better. 

Interestingly, this can be seen in horror films and such. People tend to react more negatively to violence against children and animals, but not to adults. Which is why if a child is involved, the horror often moves through them instead of harming them. Does that make sense?