West Ham defender Kurt Zouma has pleaded guilty to kicking and slapping his pet cat in abuse caught on video.
The 27-year-old France international appeared at a hearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court accused of three offences under the Animal Welfare Act in relation to footage of the abuse that surfaced on social media in February. Zouma pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
He arrived at the court in a car and was accompanied by several security guards who held out umbrellas to form a protective shield around him.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took custody of Zouma’s two cats after video footage was shared widely on social media.
“A total of nine organizations supporting the care and well-being of animals both in the United Kingdom and internationally have been identified to receive significant payments which will go toward supporting the fantastic work they do,” West Ham said in a statement.
Zouma has apologized and requested his fine be donated to animal welfare charities. His exact salary has not been disclosed but British media reported the fine by West Ham to be more than $300,000.
The Associated Press
