West Ham defender Kurt Zouma was sentenced on Wednesday to 180 hours of community service for torturing a cat, to which he pleaded guilty in court.
Zuma made headlines in February after a video of him torturing a cat was posted, sparking outrage in England and on social media.
Zuma’s brother Yuan, whose laughter can be heard in the background, filmed the 27-year-old man chasing the cat and threatening it with his shoes after kicking and slapping it on the head in front of his seven-year-old son.
Last week, the 23-year-old brothers Zuma and Yuan appeared in Thames Court in east London to plead guilty to animal cruelty.
Judge Susan Holdham, who handed down the decision on Wednesday morning, said the two brothers “participated in this shameful and reprehensible incident.”
“On that February day, you (Zuma) did not satisfy her (the cat’s) needs, but caused unnecessary suffering for your own amusement.”
The referee considered the incident to be an “isolated incident” but said that Zuma was a “public figure” due to his role as a footballer in the English Premier League and “you should know that others look at you with respect.” Many young people aspire to follow you.”
Kurt Zouma was sentenced to 180 hours of community service and his brother was sentenced to 140 hours, and two were sentenced to 12 months of community service.
The two brothers were also banned from breeding cats for the next five years.
As a result of what the French defender did, West Ham decided to punish him with the “highest possible fine”, estimated at two weeks’ wages of $340,000, and Adidas Sportswear decided to terminate his contract.
His brother Yuan was also punished by his team Dagenham & Redbridge with a fifth English level disqualification.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the largest association for the protection of animal rights, has decided to take two cats belonging to a French international defender and put them under their care.
