Kurt Zouma in addition to the ban will also serve 180 hours of community service for violently kicking and slapping his pet
By Kehinde Okeowo
France and West Ham defender, Kurt Zouma has been banned from keeping animals as pets for the next five years by a court in the United Kingdom.
This is because the 30-year-old French football star pleaded guilty to charges of being cruel to a cat he was keeping as a pet.
The Hammers defender in addition to the ban will also serve 180 hours of community service for violently kicking and slapping the pet.
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He will not be serving the punishment alone, as his younger brother, Yoan, who uploaded the disturbing footage, was also sentenced to 140 hours of community service.
The former Chelsea star, who joined West Ham in 2021, admitted to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act at a hearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court on May 24.
District judge, Susan Holdham, who described the incident as ‘disgraceful and reprehensible’, took into consideration that the Zouma and his brother are first offenders who had no prior offences and pleaded guilty thereby saving the tome of the court.
Holdham before delivering judgement said: “The cat looked up to you to care for its needs.
“On that date in February you did not provide for its needs but you caused unnecessary suffering for your own amusement.”
The footballer drew international condemnation after footage emerged of him volleying the pet across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head, saying: “I swear I’ll kill it.”
His two Bengal male cats have since been signed over to be rehomed.
