No seriously, would you EVER kick your toddler, or baby? It's the same thing. They wouldn't be able to speak out, much less a puppy, and it would cause SERIOUS INJURIES you don't think about. Broken ribs or back? Other injuries? Yup.

Also, would you cut your backbone short? Likely not. You need it, just like the dog does, and I know cats never get their tails cut short due to it also, yes, being part of their BACKBONE. Abuse is abuse, and cruelty is cruelty, regardless HOW you put it.