POLICE have launched enquiries into the shocking video of West Ham star Kurt Zouma drop-kicking his pet cat.
Cops tonight said that they were making “urgent enquiries” into the awful clip of the Premier League star kicking his cat filmed at his multimillion-pound mansion.
The defender was filmed kicking one of his two cats like a football and slapping it out of a child’s hands in the disturbing footage.
He’s since issued a grovelling apology after the film, shared by his brother Yoan on Snapchat, was exclusively featured by The Sun.
But now cops have said they are probing the footage.
Essex Police confirmed: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media relating to an incident involving a cat which members of our communities may find distressing.
“We have recently been made aware that this incident may have taken place in Essex and we are liaising with the RSPCA and urgent enquiries are ongoing.”
Surrey Police also added that they carried out a number of enquiries with the RSPCA before realising that the ordeal was not in their force area.
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They said it had been “referred to the appropriate force.”
And the RSPCA confirmed that they were investigating the awful footage.
A spokesperson said: “This is a very upsetting video and we’d like to reassure the public that we are investigating.
“We cannot comment further at this time but we’re grateful to everyone who has brought this to our attention.
“We have received lots of messages on social media and our other channels, so we’re urging people to only contact our national cruelty line (0300 1234 999) if they have new or first-hand information.”
And despite the public outcry – Zouma started for West Ham this evening in their match against Watford.
David Moyes named the 27-year-old in his team to face the Hornets despite uproar from fans after the vile clips were made public.
Meanwhile, more than 22,000 Brits have signed a petition calling for the Met to launch a probe.
CAT ABUSE PROBE
The Change.org petition, started by Matthew Dixon, says: “Professional football player Kurt Zouma was filmed horrendously abusing a defenceless animal.
“He should be prosecuted for his actions.”
Mr Dixon wrote: “Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition.
“This ‘man’ cannot be allowed to get away with abusing this poor cat in this way.”
West Ham says the matter will be dealt with internally.
It is thought the Hammers star man could be at least fined wages for the shamed clips, which fans have complained puts their season in jeopardy.
The club said: “West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated.
“We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally, but we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals.”
Zouma, 27, last night apologised after the emergence of the sick clips.
The video was filmed at his £2million house on Sunday afternoon – a day after he appeared for West Ham in the FA Cup.
“I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret,” he said.
It comes as:
“I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.
“They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”
Thousands of people have contacted the RSPCA urging the charity to prosecute.
The issue has also been discussed on breakfast television.
In the UK, the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty is five years after a new bill was passed last year.
Before then, the maximum jail time for animal cruelty was just six months.
But prison sentences are for the most heinous animal cruelty crimes – including “dogfighting, abuse of puppies and kittens, illegally cropping a dog’s ears and gross neglect of farm animals.”
People found guilty can also face an unlimited fine.
Five years in jail under tough new laws
ANIMAL abusers now face tougher prison sentences under a new bill passed in Parliament last year.
The worst offenders can be caged for five years instead of just six months under the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.
Dog fight organisers, farmers who neglect horses and thugs who abuse puppies or kittens can all be hit by the long jail term.
The new legislation — championed by PM Boris Johnson and his animal-loving wife Carrie — came after a four-year campaign by Battersea Cats & Dogs Home in London.
It makes CCTV mandatory in every slaughterhouse in England and bans the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter.
Standards in zoos must be improved and household pets even have their feelings protected.
The law says animals with a backbone have a right to happiness as well as avoiding suffering.
The Battersea home launched the crusade after discovering fly-tippers were given harsher sentences than animal abusers.
When the bill came into effect last June, comedian Ricky Gervais, 60 — a dedicated animal rights campaigner — said: “Justice will finally be served to anyone who perpetuates animal cruelty and a proper punishment brought in.
“It’s one I hope will serve as a deterrent to anyone who’d contemplate harming an innocent creature.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
