(Reuters) – West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma and his brother Yoan are set to be charged under the Animal Welfare Act after they posted a video which confirmed them abusing a pet cat, animal charity the RSPCA mentioned on Wednesday.
The viral video, filmed by Yoan and posted on social media final month, confirmed Kurt dropping the tabby cat and kicking it throughout the ground.
“Following a full and thorough investigation, we have now began the method of bringing a prosecution towards Kurt Zouma and Yoan Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act,” an RSPCA spokesperson instructed Reuters.
“The two cats proceed to be cared for by the RSPCA. We will be able to launch extra data as soon as a court docket date is confirmed.”
Reuters has contacted West Ham for remark.
The video brought about outrage and led to membership sponsors reducing ties with Kurt’s Premier League membership West Ham whereas Adidas additionally dropped their sponsorship of the defender. However, he continued to be chosen by supervisor David Moyes.
West Ham mentioned Zouma was fined the “most quantity potential”, with British media reporting the advantageous was two weeks’ wages. The 27-year-old, who apologised, had accepted the advantageous which was to be donated to animal welfare charities.
Yoan had been dropped by his membership Dagenham & Redbridge after the allegation final month however the fifth-tier aspect mentioned he’ll now be obtainable to play.
“Dagenham & Redbridge FC notice the choice of the RSPCA to cost Yoan Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act 2006,” they mentioned in an announcement.
“Four weeks have now elapsed nonetheless for the reason that incident, and the membership feels that any additional suspension from the crew would be detrimental to each the Club and Yoan. A call has been made subsequently for Yoan to be obtainable to play.”
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
