CONVICTED (2022) | professional footballers Kurt Zouma, born 27 October 1994, and Yoan Zouma, born 6 May 1998 – prosecuted for animal cruelty after a cat was captured on video being subjected to prolonged sadistic abuse for kicks.
West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma admitted two offences under the Animal Welfare Act by kicking a cat in the abdomen and slapping her on the head
His brother Yoan Zouma, who plays for Dagenham and Redbridge football club, admitted one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring his older brother to commit an offence.
The case was brought following an RSPCA investigation after video footage was uploaded to Snapchat on February 6, 2022.
Yoan filmed the incident at his older brother’s home in Essex and posted it on Snapchat with ‘laughing’ emojis.
The footage shows Kurt Zouma attacking the pet at his £2million mansion in an unknown part of Essex.
Firstly he drops the cat and boots her in mid air across the kitchen floor.
He then chases the animal around his dining room in front of a child as the cameraman laughs.
Zouma also hurls a pair of shoes at the pet — who frantically tries to escape.
In a final clip, he is seen forcefully slapping the cat in the face — and out of the child’s arms (shockingly, the child appears to hold the cat up to be abused).
Hazel Stevens, for the prosecution, said Kurt Zouma could be heard in the video saying: “I swear I’ll kill it, I swear I’ll kill it.”
Ms Stevens said the 40-second clip appeared to have been recorded after the cats were blamed for damaging a chair.
“Kurt Zouma is determined to chastise or carry out some sort of retribution for the damage caused,” she said.
Ms Stevens added that the young woman who first saw the footage was so appalled that she cancelled a date with Yoan, saying: “I don’t think hitting a cat like that is OK – don’t bother coming today.”
Sentencing the pair, district judge Susan Holdham told them: “Both of you took part in this disgraceful and reprehensible act with this pet cat,”
“The cat looked up to you to care for its needs. On that date in February you did not provide for its needs. You must be aware that others look up to you and many young people aspire to emulate you.”
The court heard Yoan, whose contract with Dagenham and Redbridge was extended, had 80 followers on Snapchat, and only five accounts viewed it before it was deleted a few minutes after being posted.
“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,” said RSPCA chief inspectorate officer Dermot Murphy.
“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.
“We believe teaching children to treat animals with kindness will lead to a more compassionate society. We need positive role models to help us do that.”
West Ham hope Zouma can ‘learn from his mistake and move on’
The hearing in May had heard that West Ham had fined the player £250,000 and he had lost a “substantial” sponsorship deal with sportswear firm adidas.
“West Ham United wishes to make clear that we condemn in the strongest terms any form of animal abuse or cruelty,” said a statement from the Premier League club after the sentencing.
“This type of behaviour is unacceptable and is not in line with the values of the football club.
“Within 48 hours of the footage emerging, we fined Kurt the maximum available to the club.
“Every single penny of this money is now with a number of deserving charities, all dedicated to animal welfare.”
The club added: “Kurt admitted at the earliest opportunity that what he did was wrong. He has apologised without reservation.
“We hope that now the court has reached its decision, everyone will allow Kurt the chance to learn from his mistake and move on.”
Kurt Zouma’s two cats, named Bonbon and Cherie, were seized by police on February 9, 2022, and taken to be examined by a vet before being taken into the care of the RSPCA.
Both cats were signed over to the RSPCA by Kurt Zouma at the first court hearing so will soon be matched with a loving new home.
Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA chief inspectorate officer Dermot Murphy said: “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.
“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.
“We believe teaching children to treat animals with kindness will lead to a more compassionate society. We need positive role models to help us do that.”
Sentencing |
Kurt Zouma: 180 hours of community service over 12 months; court costs of nearly £9,000. Five-year ban on owning cats.
Yoan Zouma:140 hours of community service.
Update | September 2023
It was reported that David Moyes had appointed Kurt Zouma as West Ham’s new captain – a mere 19 months after he terrorised a helpless cat.
In contrast, the manager of the French national side, Didier Deschamps, who publicly criticised Zouma when the revelations of his animal cruelty broke, has omitted him from selection for France ever since.