Footballer Kurt Zouma has cats taken away by RSPCA after he was filmed kicking one

West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma has had his two cats taken away from him by the RSPCA after footage emerged of him kicking one.

Video posted online showed the 27-year-old Frenchman dropping, kicking and slapping his pet, prompting “urgent enquiries” by Essex Police and the RSPCA.

In a statement, the animal charity 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.”

In a statement released on its website on Wednesday afternoon, West Ham said it “can confirm that the club is supporting an RSPCA investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulated online this week”.

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It added: “Kurt and the club are co-operating fully with the investigation and the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including delivering his family’s two cats to the RSPCA for assessment.

The Premier League club added “Zouma has been fined the maximum amount possible following his actions in the video that circulated” and it will be “donated to animal welfare charities”.

A petition on Change.org, started by Anti Animal Abuse, demanding the prosecution of “the perpetrators of this heinous act” and urging the RSPCA to “remove all animals from Zouma’s ‘care’ immediately”, has so far attracted more than 150,000 signatures.

Despite the fierce criticism of Zouma’s actions, West Ham manager David Moyes still named the defender in the club’s starting 11 for Tuesday’s 1-0 Premier League win at Watford.

Zouma was booed by Watford fans during the match.

West Ham United Supporters’ Trust has said it was not “impressed” by Zouma’s selection last night – and suggested the player should be made to “see the consequences of his own actions”.

Experience Kissimmee, one of West Ham’s official sponsors, said it will be “evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club” after Zouma was selected – a decision it also called “disheartening”.

‘Disappointed in David Moyes and West Ham’

London Mayor Sadiq Khan told Sky News he was “disappointed” in Moyes – while a leading pet charity said the decision to play Zouma “normalises his abhorrent behaviour”.

Speaking to Kay Burley, Mr Khan said: “It’s despicable. I think a number of things need to happen urgently. I think the RSPCA and the police need to work together to prosecute this player.

“I’m disappointed in David Moyes and West Ham. I know how important three points are, but I think they should have shown leadership and dropped him last night.”

‘It normalises his abhorrent behaviour’

Becky Thwaites, head of public affairs at national pet charity Blue Cross, said: “We were very disappointed to see West Ham make the decision to play Kurt Zouma last night.

“In our view it normalises his abhorrent behaviour and delivers the message it’s acceptable to treat a family pet that way.

“It gives the impression to young football fans watching last night that it doesn’t matter what he did to his cat, all that is important is football.

“We work with children all over the country to help them be safe around pets and learn to show them love and respect. Anyone in a position of influence, like Zouma, should be doing the same.

“We reiterate our full support for prosecution for cases like this, and for all animal cruelty.”

‘Moyes showed no regard for people’s opinion’

Conservationist Chris Packham has also condemned Moyes’ decision to select Zouma.

Mr Packham told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think it was a disgraceful decision. I think if the footballer had released on social media a film of him taking drugs or beating his wife or his girlfriend or his children, there was no way he would have been on the pitch.

“And this is not just about football. These footballers now are role models to millions of people, so in a way they set public standards, and what David Moyes showed last night is that he had no regard for people’s opinion of public standards when it came to animal welfare.”

‘Footballers should not be treated like God’

West Ham United Supporters’ Trust treasurer, Kevin Hind, said: “The video which we saw was absolutely horrific. Cruelty to animals is completely unacceptable.

“These footballers, including Zouma, are role models to people, particularly young people.

“I don’t think any of us were impressed with Zouma having been played last night.

“Professional footballers should not be treated like God – if footballers break the law, they should be punished.

“In terms of animal cruelty, if this had occurred in any other field of work, the employee concerned would have been suspended if not summarily dismissed.

“If he is actually prosecuted and it is a fine, I would guess it would not really hit him hard in the pocket.

“We have suggested he should be required to donate at least a week’s salary to the RSPCA or Cats Protection and do community service with them so he can see the consequences of his own actions.”

Matter will be dealt with ‘internally’

West Ham said they would be “dealing with the matter internally”, adding: “We would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals.”

After the match Moyes said: “My job is to pick the best team and Kurt was part of that.”

Ironically, the footballer proudly promotes on Instagram that he is an ambassador for the French charity Seed, which has raised money for an animal shelter for big cats.

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