To a degree.
This is a fine line that has to deal with the established lore of elves and elf treatment. There is a line that owners are not supposed to cross. I'm not sure if the actions shown technically crossed said lines, but i can tell you to me they did.
So i'd lean on those actions being outside the defined "norms" when it comes to how far you're allowed to degrade your elves.
Now if i wrong on that then well....i'll allow the logical leap to punish the bastards anyway
That said no, Ashley's father doesn't get off for my by playing the victim card and blaming his issues on Alcohol. I've always hated pass the buck type defenses when there's a solution (non-alcoholic) to the problem.