'CAN'T GET AWAY WITH IT'
Kurt Zouma could be prosecuted for animal cruelty as more than 150,000 sign petition calling for justice
WEST Ham ace Kurt Zouma could be prosecuted for animal cruelty as more than 150,000 people sign a petition calling for justice.
The defender was filmed kicking one of his two cats like a football and slapping it out of a child's hands in disturbing footage filmed at his multimillion-pound mansion.
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He's since issued a grovelling apology after the film, shared by his brother Yoan on Snapchat, was exclusively featured by The Sun.
But the Premier League ace could still face a criminal prosecution if the RSPCA deems the clip contains illegal behaviour and produces files to the police.
Essex Police has confirmed it is investigating the video as a matter of urgency.
Now more than 150,000 Brits have signed a petition calling for the Met to launch a probe.
The Change.org petition, started by Matthew Dixon, says: "Professional football player Kurt Zouma was filmed horrendously abusing a defenceless animal.
"He should be prosecuted for his actions."
It comes as:
- Zouma is dropped by sponsors Adidas, Experience Kissimmee and Vitality
- The RSPCA confirmed it has seized the player's two cats - and says it was investigating before video emerged on social media
- The star could face four years in a French prison
- He has also been axed from the squad and fined £250,000
- David Moyes says he's an "animal lover" but his job is to "try and win" after Zouma played 90 minutes against Watford
Mr Dixon wrote: "Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition.
"This 'man' cannot be allowed to get away with abusing this poor cat in this way."
Despite the public outcry, Zouma started for West Ham in their match against Watford - which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Hammers.
David Moyes named the 27-year-old in his team to face the Hornets despite uproar from fans after the vile clips were made public.
The coach defended his decision in a press conference, telling reporters: "I am really disappointed and the club have taken all the actions that they can do at the moment.
"They are working on that behind the scenes. My job is to pick the best team for West Ham and Kurt was part of that team.
"I am a big animal lover. As I said, my job is to try and win for West Ham and to put out the best team for that.
MOYES DEFENDS LINE-UP
"I think the club would rather deal with it all in time and they will let you know what the action is."
But Vitality and Experience Kissimmee, the tourism authority for Osceola County in Florida, have now dropped their sponsorship of West Ham.
The US organisation had earlier said it was "disheartening" to see Zouma starting for the club less than a day after the footage emerged.
However, it was later confirmed the French international player would be fined two weeks' pay - £250,000 - and will not return to the pitch for the game on Sunday.
Both of Zouma's pets have also been seized by the RSPCA.
The charity is conducting an investigation. It has its own powers of prosecution, meaning that Zouma could yet appear in the dock.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
An online petition calling for the Met Police to launch a probe too has netted almost 150,000 signatures so far.
Meanwhile, the crisis is only deepening for Zouma.
He has lost his Adidas footwear sponsorship, and cops in France say he could face four years behind bars.
Zouma, 27, has apologised after the emergence of the sick clips.
The video was filmed at his £2million house on Sunday afternoon - a day after he appeared for West Ham in the FA Cup.
“I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret," he said.
“I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.
STAR'S APOLOGY
“They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”
In the UK, the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty is five years after a new bill was passed last year.
Before then, the maximum jail time for animal cruelty was just six months.
But prison sentences are for the most heinous animal cruelty crimes - including "dog fighting, abuse of puppies and kittens, illegally cropping a dog’s ears and gross neglect of farm animals."
People found guilty can also face an unlimited fine.
Meanwhile, animal charity Blue Cross has also backed calls for a criminal investigation.
Chief executive officer Chris Burghes said: "The video is appalling and very distressing to watch.
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"This kind of cruelty is unacceptable towards any living being, and for a child to also witness this is additionally disturbing.
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"There may have been statements afterwards that the two cats are well-loved family pets, but the trauma this individual cat has experienced is very likely to affect its wellbeing for the future.
"The UK Government recently raised the sentencing for animal cruelty to a maximum of a five-year jail term, and we fully support prosecution for cases like this."
Five years in jail under tough new laws
ANIMAL abusers now face tougher prison sentences under a new bill passed in Parliament last year.
The worst offenders can be caged for five years instead of just six months under the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.
Dog fight organisers, farmers who neglect horses and thugs who abuse puppies or kittens can all be hit by the long jail term.
The new legislation — championed by PM Boris Johnson and his animal-loving wife Carrie — came after a four-year campaign by Battersea Cats & Dogs Home in London.
It makes CCTV mandatory in every slaughterhouse in England and bans the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter.
Standards in zoos must be improved and household pets even have their feelings protected.
The law says animals with a backbone have a right to happiness as well as avoiding suffering.
The Battersea home launched the crusade after discovering fly-tippers were given harsher sentences than animal abusers.
When the bill came into effect last June, comedian Ricky Gervais, 60 — a dedicated animal rights campaigner — said: “Justice will finally be served to anyone who perpetuates animal cruelty and a proper punishment brought in.
“It’s one I hope will serve as a deterrent to anyone who’d contemplate harming an innocent creature.”
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