Zouma Pleads Guilty To Kicking His Cat

West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma has pleaded guilty to kicking and slapping his pet cat in a video that also showed him saying “I swear I’ll kill it”.

The 27-year-old admitted two offenses under the Animal Welfare Act at a hearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court.

Zouma’s brother Yoan, who plays for Dagenham and Redbridge, admitted one offence after an RSPCA investigation.

Yoan, 24, filmed the incident, which was posted on social media. Sentencing has been adjourned to 1 June.

The brothers’ addresses were withheld following a court order.

The court was told about disturbing footage of the incident, which was filmed at the West Ham player’s home and posted on Snapchat with ‘laughing’ emojis by his brother on 6 February.

It was later seen by a woman who had been messaging Yoan, and she raised concern.

Zouma could be seen volleying the Bengal cat across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head.

The court heard the Premier League defender, who apologised for his actions, has since agreed for his two Bengal male cats to be rehomed.

An independent vet, who assessed the cats later and watched the video, said there were “no remaining signs of injuries” to the animals when he examined them but that being hit and kicked would have caused suffering while being chased would have caused fear or distress.

Defending the West Ham player, Trevor Burke QC said his client had been fined £250,000 by his club and lost a “substantial” sponsorship deal with sportswear firm adidas.

Zouma had also not been picked for the France national team.

Burke said his client had been of previously impeccable character, and nine animal charities had benefited from his fine.