Kurt Zouma has admitted to abusing a cat in controversial footage which went viral earlier this year
West Ham’s French international defender Kurt Zouma has admitted two offences related to the UK’s Animal Welfare Act after footage was leaked online earlier this year showing the 27-year-old hitting and kicking his pet cat.
Footage of the incident which was filmed by Zouma’s younger brother Yoan went viral online. Yoan, 24, also admitted one offence related to the video clip after an investigation by the Royal Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
The Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London heard that the shocking footage was filmed by Yoan Zouma and posted to the social networking app Snapchat on February 6.
One of Yoan’s followers on the platform observed the footage and notified authorities.
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The disturbing footage showed Kurt Zouma kicking the Bengal cat across his kitchen. He later threw a pair of shoes at the defenseless animal and hit its head.
Prosecutor Hazel Stevens said during the hearing that Zouma can be heard exclaiming: “I swear I’ll kill it, I swear I’ll kill it.”