Football star banned from keeping cats after 'disgraceful' video

West Ham player Kurt Zouma has been banned from keeping a cat for five years after a video was released of him kicking and slapping his pet.

Zouma received his sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

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In footage of the abuse that took place on February 6 and surfaced on social media, the football player could be seen kicking his Bengal cat across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head.

The judge, at the Thames Magistrate Court, claimed Zouma's actions were 'disgraceful'.

District judge Susan Holdham also sentenced Zouma to 180 hours of community service.

Zouma's younger brother, Yoan, filmed the incident involving the cat and posted it on Snapchat.

Yoan Zouma, also a football player who was suspended in February by fifth-tier team Dagenham, was ordered to carry out 140 hours of community service.

Kurt Zouma plays for West Ham after fine

West Ham fined Zouma two weeks' salary - the maximum possible - when the incident came to light, but manager David Moyes continued to pick the defender to play when fit.

Zouma also lost a sponsorship deal with Adidas.

The Premier League club said the money it received from fining Zouma went to charities dedicated to animal welfare.

"West Ham wishes to make clear that we condemn in the strongest terms any form of animal abuse or cruelty," the club said.

"This type of behaviour is unacceptable and is not in line with the values of the football club."

The RSPCA used specialist lawyers to bring the prosecution to the brothers.

And after the case, RSPCA chief inspectorate officer Dermot Murphy said the result acted as a message.

"We are pleased there has been swift justice in this awful case and our focus now is matching these beautiful cats to the loving homes they deserve," Murphy said.

"This case sends a really clear message that animals should never be treated like this, and posting videos of animals being harmed on social media for likes is abhorrent."

with AAP

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