Throwing stones at an animal for amusement, tying it up to shoot at it, or laughing at its distress violates the concern expressed here. Teaching children to keep a safe distance, understand the needs of animals, and avoid harassing them is a practical application of the lesson.
The key term غَرَضًا describes a target set up for hitting. This helps distinguish the specific condemned behavior—turning a living creature into an object of harmful practice—from ordinary, responsible interactions with animals. Living creatures are not mere disposable objects.