Exclusive
PET RESCUE
Kurt Zouma’s cats SEIZED by RSPCA as he’s axed by West Ham and fined £250k over vile video
KURT Zouma's two cats were today SEIZED by the RSPCA after The Sun exposed how he kicked and slapped one of his animals in a shocking video.
The West Ham ace has also been fined £250,000 - two weeks' wages - and dropped from the squad over the vile video which was filmed at his Essex mansion.
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The defender, 27, will now not feature in this Sunday's Premier League clash against Leicester City.
It follows a huge backlash from the public after the France international played last night against Watford - where he was booed by BOTH sets of fans.
The RSPCA today confirmed it has now seized Zouma's cats.
A charity spokesperson 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."
The footballer, who is on £125,000 a week, has now been fined £250,000 by West Ham.
The club said Zouma has been fined the "maximum amount possible following his actions in the video".
A statement said: "The player has immediately accepted the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
"West Ham United would like to reiterate our condemnation of Kurt’s actions and make it clear that the matter continues to be handled with the utmost seriousness."
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Zouma was filmed kicking one of his two cats like a football and slapping it out of a child's hands in the disturbing footage.
He issued a grovelling apology after the film, shared by his brother Yoan on Snapchat, was exclusively featured by The Sun.
Essex Police last night said it was making "urgent enquiries" into the video - but The Sun understands the force will now be dropping the investigation.
More than 120,000 people have signed a petition calling for Zouma to be prosecuted over the footage and banned from keeping animals.
The Change.org petition, started by Matthew Dixon, said: "Professional football player Kurt Zouma was filmed horrendously abusing a defenceless animal.
"He should be prosecuted for his actions."
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."
It is understood the clip was filmed at one of Zouma’s properties in the Essex area – but police there are braced to announce today they will no longer be investigating.
An Essex Police spokesman said last night: "We are aware of a video circulating on social media relating to an incident involving a cat which members of our communities may find distressing.
"We have recently been made aware that this incident may have taken place in Essex and we are liaising with the RSPCA and urgent enquiries are ongoing."
But sources said the matter will now be handed to the RSPCA to deal with by itself - despite thousands of people calling for the footballer to be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, lawyers working for the 30 Million Friends Foundation - the largest animal rights group in France - have contacted prosecutors.
According to laws in France, French citizens can be prosecuted for criminal acts carried out abroad.
A spokesman for the French foundation said: "We condemn this heinous act, have asked that the player be suspended from the France team, and filed a legal complaint against him."
And senior French politicians have also condemned Zouma, who is from the eastern city of Lyon, and called him to be kicked out of France’s national team.
Muriel Fusi, spokesperson for the French Animal party, said: "Many people on social networks are outraged by the video. Many people claim that this football player can no longer wear the colours of France."
And Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally party and a presidential candidate, said: "It’s shameful. I still think that those who are capable of cruelty to animals are also capable of cruelty towards men. Violence is never trivial."
Zouma’s “tone-deaf” inclusion in David Moyes’ squad against Watford last night also sparked furious reaction across the nation.
'APPALLED'
Watford fans aimed a dig at Zouma after he was fouled during the Premier League clash at the London Stadium.
Hornets fans threw a barrage of insults at the France international as they labelled him a 'w***er' and chanted 'RSPCA' when he was in possession.
After he went down holding his ankle in the box after a collision with Josh King, Zouma was the target of more chants.
Travelling fans sang "that's how your cat feels!" as the French centre-back lay on the ground.
Gary Lineker fumed today: “Shocked and appalled that West Ham played Zouma last night. A tone deaf decision.”
Former Hammers defender James Collins said: “There is a lot of anger about him being picked, and rightly so.
“It’s a big call from the football club and I personally don’t think it’s the right call. They’ve got it wrong.”
TV nature star and animal lover Chris Packham blasted: “I think it was a disgraceful decision to let him play.
“I think if the footballer had released on social media a video of him taking drugs or beating his wife or his girlfriend or children, there was no way he would have been on the pitch.
“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 has no regard for peoples’ opinions when it came to public standards of animal welfare.”
And 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."
Meanwhile, Vitality have suspended their sponsorship of West Ham.
A statement from the insurance and investment company, revealed by the BBC's Simon Stone, read: "We were very distressed by the video we have seen of Kurt Zouma.
"At Vitality, we condemn animal cruelty and violence of any kind.
"We are hugely disappointed by the judgement subsequently shown by the club in response to this incident.
"As such, we are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham United with immediate effect.
"We will now be further engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation."
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Another of the Hammers' partners Kissimmee are also "evaluating" their relationship with the club.
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