The loving nature of Jesus would suggest He liked animals.

While I cannot think of a specific passage of the New Testamant that clearly shows that Jesus liked animals, His character would suggest He did. Jesus was kind, compassionate, merciful, tender and loving. He did not encourage cruelty; He opposed it.

Because Jesus was love incarnated and God incarnated, I imagine that He did like animals. This deduction would seem to be in standing with His divine character and attributes.