Kurt Zouma was forbidden from owning cats and penalized 180 hours of community service.

West Ham defender Kurt Zouma was penalized with 180 hours of community service and prohibited from owning cats for the next five years after admitting animal cruelty by slapping and kicking his cat, as seen on a video footage. The French footballer received his ruling at Thames Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to two counts of inducing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. His brother, Yoan, also pleaded guilty to one charge and was ordered to carry out 140 hours of community service. In footage of the maltreatment that transpired on February 6 and surfaced on social media, the soccer player is seen kicking his Bengal cat across his kitchen, then throws a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head. Zouma's younger brother, Yoan, filmed and posted the incident on Snapchat. When the incident surfaced, West Ham fined Kurt Zouma two weeks' worth of salary, the maximum amount possible. Still, manager David Moyes persisted in choosing the defender to play when suitable. Adidas also withdrew its sponsorship of Zouma.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals brought Kurt Zouma's two pet cats into care after the incident.

back