Well, to add some real life logic to this, yes they could. Humans tend to forget (or simply don't realize) they we are indeed animals. Anything part of the kingdom Animalia is technically an animal. Level of intelligence varies from species to species, but they are all still animals. Game logic would be the same assuming similar circumstances. The elementals aren't really jerks, they are simply unbiased. Everything should be treated with equal respect in their eyes.
