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Report crueltyMen sentenced to community service and ban for cat attack Snapchat video
01.06.22
A footballer has been sentenced to 180 hours community service for causing unnecessary suffering after his brother filmed him kicking and hitting a cat and posted it online.
Kurt pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of causing unnecessary suffering to cats. His brother, Yoan, also appeared at court where he pleaded guilty to one offence of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Kurt Zouma to commit an offence, under the Magistrates Court Act 1980.
This week, Kurt was sentenced to 180 hours community service and a five-year ban from owning cats. Yoan was sentenced to 140 hours community service and a five-year ban from owning cats.
Sentencing the brothers, District Judge, Susan Holdham said:
Those cats look to you for their care and needs but you did not provide for their needs but caused them unnecessary suffering for your own amusement.
District Judge Holdham described the incident as "disgraceful and reprehensible" and added that "As a public figure you must be aware that others look up to you and many young people aspire to emulate you."
In mitigation it was said the brothers expressed genuine remorse and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
The RSPCA launched an investigation after a video, posted on Snapchat by Yoan Zouma on 6 February, was reported showing Kurt Zouma chasing a cat around a house, kicking and slapping him.
On 9 February, Kurt Zouma's two cats were seized by police and taken to be examined by a vet before being taken into the care of the RSPCA, where they've remained since.
Both cats were signed over to the RSPCA by Kurt Zouma at the first court hearing so will soon be matched with a loving new home.
Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA chief inspectorate officer Dermot Murphy said:
We are pleased there has been swift justice in this awful case and our focus now is matching these beautiful cats to the loving homes they deserve.
This case sends a really clear message that animals should never be treated like this, and posting videos of animals being harmed on social media for likes is abhorrent.
We believe teaching children to treat animals with kindness will lead to a more compassionate society. We need positive role models to help us do that.
They were also ordered to pay £8,887.03 to cover the RSPCA legal costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please donate online or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.
