Well, it's not as black and white as simply attacking. Trainers such as myself raise Pokémon for competition in contests of skill and strategy called battles. It's a common pastime in my world, and the easiest way to come to understand the bonds that others have with their Pokémon, in addition to your own.

[ and it's completely humane! cradily certainly looks happy, unfazed by steven's words. it likes battling, in fact! ]