West Ham’s Zouma to be prosecuted over cat abuse video

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West Ham defender Kurt Zouma and his brother Yoan are being prosecuted under British animal welfare laws after a disturbing video circulated showing Kurt slapping and kicking one of his own pet cats.

The footage, shot by Yoan, prompted widespread outrage and led to a hefty fine for Kurt when it circulated last month.

Animal welfare charity the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) took two cats belonging to Kurt Zouma, 27, into its care following the incident.

On Wednesday it said it was taking action against the footballers.

“Following a full and thorough investigation, we have started the process of bringing a prosecution against Kurt Zouma and Yoan Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act,” it said in a statement.

“The two cats continue to be cared for by the RSPCA. We will be in a position to release more information once a court date is confirmed.”

Yoan Zouma also plays football in England, for non-league side Dagenham and Redbridge.

A statement from the club said: “Dagenham and Redbridge FC note the decision of the RSPCA to charge Yoan Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

“Whilst Yoan continues to fully cooperate with the RSPCA, as this matter has now progressed further, Dagenham and Redbridge FC feel it is no longer appropriate for either Yoan or the club to make any further statement.”

The club said their defender would now be available to play for them after being suspended since February but added they reserved the right to take further action “if deemed necessary” following the conclusion of court proceedings.

West Ham manager David Moyes has continued to select France international Kurt Zouma since the incident despite calls for tougher action against him.

The central defender was fined the “maximum amount possible” by the Premier League club and lost his deal with sportswear giant Adidas over the incident.

Hundreds of thousands of people signed an online petition calling for him to be prosecuted and club sponsors expressed their displeasure over the contents of the video.

The central defender has been jeered by spectators, including some Hammers fans.
 

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West Ham’s Zouma to be prosecuted over cat abuse video

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6 Comment

  1. Moyes was criticised for picking Zouma in Tuesday’s win against Watford after a video emerged of the French international kicking and slapping his cat.

    National League club Dagenham and Redbridge have suspended Zouma’s brother Yoan, who is understood to have filmed the video.

    But Moyes has refused to change his mind and Zouma remains in contention to play for the Hammers at the King Power Stadium this weekend.

    Reply
  2. The RSPCA has charged West Ham defender Kurt Zouma and brother Yoan under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act following an investigation into last month’s cat-abuse video.

    Dagenham & Redbridge’s Yoan filmed the 27-year-old Frenchman kicking and slapping one of his cats. In February, the footage surfaced on social media, sparking massive public outrage that led to the RSPCA taking the two pet cats into their care.

    While his club has already fined the Hammers star two weeks’ wages, he was never taken out of the side as punishment.

    Reply
  3. West Ham said they “unreservedly condemn” the actions of Zouma, who apologised for his actions but was selected by manager David Moyes for Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Watford at the London Stadium.

    A petition on Change.org reads: “In the UK we have laws against the abuse of animals, laws which should be applicable to everyone rich or poor, famous or not.

    Reply
  4. 8 July 2022, 20:09

    The RSPCA has charged Kurt Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act after video footage emerged of the West Ham defender dropping, kicking and slapping one of his pet cats.

    The charity removed two cats from Zouma’s home last month after his brother Yoan, who is also being prosecuted, filmed him abusing one of the animals while laughter rang out in the background.

    The animals remain in the RSPCA’s care and have not yet been returned.

    Reply
  5. Premier League footballer Kurt Zouma is due to be sentenced for kicking and slapping his cat in a disturbing home video posted on Snapchat.

    The 27-year-old West Ham defender drew international condemnation after footage from February this year emerged of him volleying the pet across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head, saying: “I swear I’ll kill it.”

    Reply
  6. 8 July 2022, 23:25

    The 27-year-old West Ham and France defender prompted widespread condemnation after footage filmed by his brother Yoan Zouma, emerged of Zouma volleying the pet across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head.

    Sentencing the brothers at the 15-minute hearing, the district judge Susan Holdham said: “Both of you took part in this disgraceful and reprehensible act with this pet cat.

    “You must be aware that others look up to you and many young people aspire to emulate you.”

    Reply