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Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted for kicking his cat
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West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma will be prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act after being filmed kicking his pet cat, new reports are detailing today.
According to Sky News, the RSPCA have begun the prosecution process against Zouma and his brother, Yoan, who filmed the incident earlier this year.
Zouma’s two cats were seized by the RSPCA after the footage went viral, where they remain today under its care.
A date for the first court appearance has yet to be set.
This comes after Yoan Zouma, who plays for National League side Dagenham & Redbridge, was formally charged by the RSPCA over the incident.
In a statement, Dagenham & Redbridge said: “Whilst Yoan continues to fully co-operate with the RSPCA, as this matter has now progressed further, Dagenham & Redbridge FC feel it is no longer appropriate for either Yoan or the club to make any further statement.
“Dagenham & Redbridge FC maintain their position in that the club continues to condemn all animal cruelty.”
Last month, a disturbing video showed the West Ham star drop-kicking his cat, before slapping it in the face and throwing shoes at it as it tried to escape, prompting ‘urgent enquiries’ by Essex Police and the RSPCA.
In a statement, the RSPCA said: “The two cats are now in RSPCA care. Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats.
“They’ve been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues.
“We’re grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation.
“We continue to investigate so we cannot comment further at this time.”