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Original poster

Kurt Zouma / TW Animal cruelty

338 replies

HotToddyColdSauvignon · 08/02/2022 01:30

Apologies, couldn’t see a thread about this.

Just seen the most horrendous video of a West Ham footballer drop kicking his cat Shock across the room, then throwing things at it, then slapping it out of someone’s arms.

(Link to video mobile.twitter.com/emilyhewertson/status/1490811894197886981?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet)

It’s being published by the sun, but what I don’t understand is, why when (quite rightly) the lady who slapped the horse was sacked, all West Ham have said was that they “have spoken to him and will deal with internally”.

This is horrendous! The poor cat

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
ABitBesottedWithMyDog · 09/02/2022 16:52

Yeah, I think it was a miscalculation.

I don't think Moyes should be sacked, though. He's not the cunt who abused the animal

StrawberryPot · 09/02/2022 16:59

There is a school of thought that says it was good that he had to face the public last night (while events were so fresh in everyone's minds) and put up with the chants of disapproval. I didn't watch but heard that he looked uncomfortable throughout. Possibly a better punishment than being allowed to hide away.

ABitBesottedWithMyDog · 09/02/2022 17:04

I think so. Why should he be an expensive benchwarmer and get to avoid the chants? I bet his opponents had a few sly words, too.

Frollop · 09/02/2022 17:11

Adidas have ended sponsorship with him

Trainbear · 09/02/2022 17:33

I hope there is sufficient evidence and will on the RSPCA to prosecute. They have had a lot of bad publicity in the past for pursuing the middle class for crimez - lets see the go after an over privileged millionaire for a change.

Original poster
HotToddyColdSauvignon · 09/02/2022 17:36

@Frollop

Adidas have ended sponsorship with him
Fabulous!
OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 09/02/2022 17:44

I worry that he will actually 'blame' the cat (iyswim' and abuse the cat again in anger at the consequences of his actions. I think the RSPCA need to remove the cats sooner rather than later. I hope they do

Original poster
HotToddyColdSauvignon · 09/02/2022 17:49

@IncompleteSenten

I worry that he will actually 'blame' the cat (iyswim' and abuse the cat again in anger at the consequences of his actions. I think the RSPCA need to remove the cats sooner rather than later. I hope they do
The cats were confirmed by the RSPCA to have been removed by them about 4 hours ago
OP posts:
TheOnlyMrsMac · 09/02/2022 17:49

@IncompleteSenten

I worry that he will actually 'blame' the cat (iyswim' and abuse the cat again in anger at the consequences of his actions. I think the RSPCA need to remove the cats sooner rather than later. I hope they do
The RSPCA have got the cats.

I'm sure he will blame the cats and anything/anybody but himself inside, whatever he says.

I would not like to be living with him.

Furries · 09/02/2022 18:01

This has been on my mind since the video was released, I’m so pleased at the latest news. It’s a shame that 2 weeks wages is the maximum fine, but that’s better than nothing.

Adidas made the right decision, and quickly - there was no way the could continue to sponsor him for boots!

Glad to see that club sponsors have pulled out and that others are reviewing closely.

I agree with pp who said that, in some ways, it was good that he played last night - he thoroughly deserved experiencing the boos and the chants.

Best of all is that the cats are out of his house. I really hope they aren’t returned. They need to be in a loving home with people who know what Bengals need. I would offer a hind in a heartbeat, but I don’t think I’d be able to give them what the breed requires.

Aside from the distressing cruelty to the cat, I don’t think I will ever forget the footage involving the child (what kind of bloody role model etc), nor the hysterical laughter whilst he and his brother were filming.

I hope he’s prosecuted by the French authorities and that he’s dropped by the national team.

My only worry is how he deals with all of this and moves on from it. A man who firstly thinks the act is ok, then thinks it’s fine to film it, plus carry it out in front of a child. That isn’t someone who has their head screwed on and their priorities right. He’s likely to be bitter and angry for a very long time - not a good mix for someone with his attitude. I think that, if he is allowed to continue playing (at WH or any other club in future) a condition should be that he has to attend weekly anger management sessions.

Frollop · 09/02/2022 18:17

@Furries you make a good point regarding his character and attending anger management sessions.

I have a feeling he will be dropped from the National Team.

Furries · 09/02/2022 18:34

I hope he is dropped from their team.

I don’t think men like him ever realise/accept that they’ve done wrong. He’ll make himself say the words, he’ll carry out public acts of contrition, but he’ll be raging inside with regards to what has “been done to him”. Definitely not someone I’d be comfortable having in my circle of human interaction.

Another point is that I’m concerned that some of the grosser elements in the football world will use the whole situation as cover for being racially abusive. Am sure the majority of those disgusted with him would be equally as disgusted no matter his race. But I don’t doubt that a number of people won’t really give a toss about the cat, it will be an excuse to spout their vile views.

IncompleteSenten · 09/02/2022 18:57

I missed that post, sorry.
Very relieved they have been rescued.

Glittertwins · 09/02/2022 19:16

Adidas have just terminated their sponsorship

Glittertwins · 09/02/2022 19:18

Bit late there, sorry.
I hope he is dropped permanently. It's not just a cat,it's the whole thought process and behaviour of cruelty towards a helpless animal.

MsFogi · 09/02/2022 19:22

Spot the differences:
Female teacher gets sacked for kicking and hitting horse.
Male footballer incurs no consequences for kicking and hitting cat.

Whitney168 · 09/02/2022 19:52

@MsFogi

Spot the differences: Female teacher gets sacked for kicking and hitting horse. Male footballer incurs no consequences for kicking and hitting cat.
I don’t think sexism or racism at play here, to be honest - it’s just money in my view.

I think a male teacher would have met the same fate.

CorneliusVetch · 09/02/2022 19:57

@ABitBesottedWithMyDog

I think so. Why should he be an expensive benchwarmer and get to avoid the chants? I bet his opponents had a few sly words, too.
I know what you mean, but for me it’s less about a punishment for him and more about the message it sends out
TheOnlyMrsMac · 09/02/2022 20:07

@MsFogi

Spot the differences: Female teacher gets sacked for kicking and hitting horse. Male footballer incurs no consequences for kicking and hitting cat.
Give it time.

So far, he has had to give the cats to the RSPCA, is subject to an RSPCA/police investigation, has been booed and mocked by football fans while on the pitch last night, fined two weeks wages, suspended for a game and dropped by Adidas, his boot sponsor. I think and hope that there's more to come, including a safeguarding investigation at home. Not forgetting his brother either.

I agree with a pp though, the action is up against the money and power of the football industry.

TheOnlyMrsMac · 09/02/2022 20:17

I was very glad that he had to face the boos and the chanting from the crowd last night - he deserved that and I hope it made him feel uncomfortable and less of 'the big man' - and I'm sure other things were said and done that we didn't see.

But on balance, I think it would have hurt him more to have been left off the team. It sent out completely the wrong message to play him and it was a major error of judgement by Moyes. A separate issue? Still one of their best players? Moyes reasoning reminded me of the attitudes to DV/DA back in the 1970s. Make no mistake about it, pet abuse is a form of DV/DA and often goes hand in hand with abuse against women and children in the home.

Franklin12 · 09/02/2022 20:18

What idiot does this, films it and posts it. I hope his career is over. In front of a child is the worst bit and what about the brother.

What a scummy family they are.

He is clearly as thick as shit.

Choccy21 · 09/02/2022 20:22

That’s what makes it worse. He thought nothing of posting the video! Is he in his right mind?

Choccy21 · 09/02/2022 20:24

West Ham fans could really hurt the club by boycotting them. No money coming in...

Choccy21 · 09/02/2022 20:27

**What is the difference between this and the school teacher who slapped (is that the right word?) her horse?

The fact he’s a famous footballer and a role model to lots of impressionable young people.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 09/02/2022 20:27

@TheOnlyMrsMac

Moyes had a choice not to play him last night and, stupidly, he chose to play him.
I felt a bit for Moyes, but he made a really bad choice and his explanation was rubbish. You would think after the Raith Rovers debacle he would think twice before trotting out the 'I have to think about the football' line.
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