Translation of "penoso" into English

In quel momento c'era solo da prendere atto delle penose condizioni con cui questi animali stavano arrivando.

At that time, all that was noted was the distressing conditions in which these animals were arriving.

Forse, ma non così penoso come penzolare da una corda.

Perhaps, but not as painful as that long drop to the end of the rope.

I ceppi romani avevano diversi fori in modo che, volendo, le gambe potevano essere divaricate, rendendo più penosa la tortura.

Roman stocks had several holes so that, if desired, the legs could be widely separated, adding to the torture.