West Ham ace Kurt Zouma filmed KICKING and slapping his pet cat in horrific video
Premier League ace Kurt Zouma could be prosecuted just after becoming filmed booting his cat like a soccer across his kitchen area floor.
The West Ham star, 27, is also witnessed slapping his pet’s face.
The club has condemned his actions and will “deal with the make a difference internally”.
The West Ham defender is observed attacking the pet at his £2million mansion even though his brother films him.
Zouma, 27, drops the moggy and boots it in mid air throughout the kitchen flooring.
The French international then chases the animal all over his eating place in front of a youngster as the cameraman laughs.
Zouma also hurls a pair of designer shoes at the pet — which frantically tries to escape.
In a closing clip, he is noticed forcefully slapping the cat in the deal with — and out of the child’s arms.
Very last night, Zouma issued a grovelling apology for the assault and insisted it was an isolated incident.
He said: “I want to apologise for my steps. There are no excuses for my conduct, which I sincerely regret.
West Ham assertion
“West Ham United unreservedly condemns the steps of our participant, Kurt Zouma, in the movie that has circulated.
We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the make a difference internally, but we would like to make it apparent that we in no way condone cruelty to animals.”
“I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to any individual who was upset by the online video. I would like to guarantee absolutely everyone that our two cats are correctly fine and wholesome.
“They are loved and cherished by our whole household, and this conduct was an isolated incident that will not take place once more.”
It is understood the £30million previous Chelsea participant was furious that the Bengal — an pricey breed of domesticated cat that seems to be like a compact leopard — messed up his house.
A supply said: “It appeared that Kurt experienced received indignant at the cat for unintentionally smashing some kind of vase and tearing down a mild fixture from the kitchen area cabinet.
“But what he does next is fully unacceptable. Kurt kicks it, throws sneakers at it and then slaps it. The bad cat looked so frightened.”
The disturbing footage was filmed by Zouma’s brother Yoan and posted to Snapchat on Sunday afternoon — a day immediately after the centre-back again appeared for West Ham in the FA Cup.
The initial clip was captioned “sa commence”, which translates into English as “it is starting”. It is replaced with a dozen laughing confront emojis in later clips.
£2,000 prized puss
BENGALS are one particular of the UK’s most high-priced and rarest domesticated cats.
The breed originated in the US in the 1970s from wild Asian leopard cats crossed with tabbies.
Bengal kittens now price about £2,000 each.
Their noticed coats make them seem like mini-leopards and their athletic, slender physiques have witnessed them turn out to be prized pets in the cat world.
They are identified for their really friendly personalities and are beloved for remaining comparable to canine with displays of loyalty.
Superstar house owners contain Twilight star Kristen Stewart, 31, Tv favorite Jonathan Ross, 61, and actuality star Kourtney Kardashian, 42.
Disgusted animal welfare charities slammed the Premier League ace — who could now experience a felony probe.
The Sunlight understands that the RSPCA has received at the very least 1 grievance about the movie, which could give the charity leeway to go after a prosecution.
An RSPCA spokesperson mentioned: “This is a incredibly upsetting video. It’s in no way acceptable to kick, hit or slap an animal, for punishment or otherwise.”
Dr Maggie Roberts, of charity Cats Protection, claimed: “Any particular person seen or suspected of treating an animal terribly, irrespective of whether this is actual physical violence, neglect or any other kind of cruelty should be claimed to the RSPCA.
“The law enforcement operate closely with the RSPCA to investigate scenarios of animal cruelty. Cats are sentient beings and encounter pain and anxiety. Beating up a cat will only lead to it to go through physically and mentally.
“We observed that some men and women viewing the video clip on line considered it was funny. We can assure them that this is not a laughing issue.”
Final night time, West Ham issued a assertion “unreservedly condemning” their player’s actions
Zouma — who won the Premier League two times with Chelsea following becoming a member of them in 2014 — has scored a single aim in 12 game titles due to the fact shifting to the Hammers in the summer season.
5 many years in jail below tough new rules
ANIMAL abusers now encounter harder prison sentences less than a new bill passed in Parliament past 12 months.
The worst offenders can be caged for five decades as a substitute of just 6 months underneath the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.
Canine fight organisers, farmers who neglect horses and thugs who abuse puppies or kittens can all be strike by the extensive jail expression.
The new legislation — championed by PM Boris Johnson and his animal-loving wife Carrie — arrived immediately after a 4-year marketing campaign by Battersea Cats & Dogs Residence in London.
It would make CCTV mandatory in each individual slaughterhouse in England and bans the export of reside animals for fattening and slaughter.
Standards in zoos need to be enhanced and household animals even have their inner thoughts guarded.
The regulation suggests animals with a backbone have a suitable to pleasure as perfectly as staying away from struggling.
The Battersea household launched the crusade immediately after getting fly-tippers were being specified harsher sentences than animal abusers.
When the invoice came into impact past June, comedian Ricky Gervais, 60 — a dedicated animal legal rights campaigner — explained: “Justice will eventually be served to anybody who perpetuates animal cruelty and a suitable punishment brought in.
“It’s 1 I hope will serve as a deterrent to everyone who’d contemplate harming an innocent creature.”