Kurt Zouma / TW Animal cruelty

[HotToddyColdSauvignon]

Apologies, couldn’t see a thread about this.

Just seen the most horrendous video of a West Ham footballer drop kicking his cat 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)

• sky news link also - www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11685/12535891/kurt-zouma-west-ham-defender-apologises-after-video-emerges-of-him-kicking-his-cat

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

I don't think booting cats is a national/regional/cultural pastime anywhere 🤔

Absolute disgrace.
Sadly not shocked that the police and rspca are not interested.

@Nandakanda

Don't get me wrong, I personally think it's awful too. However, the said player's family emigrated to France from the Central African Republic and are also members of a religion that would have a very different view on animals from say Buddhism or Hinduism.

This would be a significant consideration, but will be enough to get me kicked off MN.

Goodbye!

What do you mean however? I'm African, not CAR. It's not acceptable to abuse animals. Yea, people eat them in some places. Most normal people don't think kicking a cat is ok, even though they may not love animals like people do over here.

Like what is the point you're making?

He's vile. It wasnt a one off. They think they're really funny treating a little animal like that

If he gets away with it, I hope in the next game someone 'accidentally' tackles him really badly

Please sign and share this. I think this vile individual needs to be held accountable for the cruelty. How anyone can think drop kicking a cat is acceptable is beyond me!

www.change.org/p/rspca-get-footballer-kurt-zouma-prosecuted-and-restrict-him-from-keeping-animals

@Nandakanda - what religion does he adhere to that would view his actions as acceptable? And to whom would it be a significant consideration?

I'm disgusted. And why arent the met investigating? Having a crime clearly recorded on video isnt enough to expect a prosecution these days?

My understanding is that Islam takes a dim view of the ownership of some pets - particularly dogs.

There have been numerous posts on mn about the poor treatment of animals in the UAE for example.

@Nandakanda

Pet ownership perhaps. Cruelty no.

@Nandakanda

My understanding is that Islam takes a dim view of the ownership of some pets - particularly dogs.

There have been numerous posts on mn about the poor treatment of animals in the UAE for example.

You said something about 'however they take a different view of animals' as if abuse is a valid thing. We all know abuse happens in countries where there are no laws about it, and people don't take it seriously but most normal people still wouldn't abuse animals, even if they don't like them. I know in Africa people sometimes have superstitions about witchcraft and cats - people like that aren't buying them as pets. No excuse.

If that how he treats an animal he ‘loves and cherishes’ it sickens me to think what kind of cruelty he is capable of

@Horriblewoman

It's absolutely disgusting and I'm sure it's not a one off.

I was just reading a number of comments under one of the articles on twitter and there were a lot of men saying 'this isn't animal abuse, he's just mucking around ' which is even more upsetting.

He's just what?

I'd love to muck around in exactly the same way with anyone who thinks like that.

What jolly fun we'll have mucking around.

I'm not excusing the poor treatment of animals at all, just suggesting there may be a cultural element.

So what? Should we be less appalled?

@Nandakanda

I'm not excusing the poor treatment of animals at all, just suggesting there may be a cultural element.

I have a cat myself that is spoilt rotten and sleeps on my bed. I could never do anything to harm her!

I hear you, but we shouldn't even legitimatise it as a difference of culture. People are afraid to call it out because if it's African culture, they might get in trouble. I'm African here and telling you, it's ok to call out bad things- same with abuse of children (emotional, beatings, FGM etc.) that happen.

I can't watch the videos or read the reports but I know he chased, kicked and slapped a cat. My biggest concern is that his cat(s?) are rehomed ASAP. They're not safe with him and must be living miserable lives. Does anyone know if they have been rehomed already? If not then the RSPCA is not fit for purpose! He also needs a lifetime ban on owning pets and to be punished accordingly. I'm concerned about his children too. Anyone who can be so violent to an animal could be violent to a person. It shows he enjoys inflicting pain and suffering on others.

@Nandakanda

I'm not excusing the poor treatment of animals at all, just suggesting there may be a cultural element.

I have a cat myself that is spoilt rotten and sleeps on my bed. I could never do anything to harm her!

HE IS FRENCH. HE WAS BORN IN FRANCE.

You seem to be making assumptions about him having grown up within some alien, savage culture, purely because he is black. White people are just as capable of animal cruelty as black people, and you wouldn't be talking about his 'culture', or where he came from 'originally', if he were white. Stop being racist.

There is often a link between animal abuse and child abuse, is that his child in the video?

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Making some fairly bold assumptions there yourself.

It would be enlightening to hear what nationally Mr. Zouma considers himself to be.

Apparently enough stink has been kicked up, rightly so, that Essex police are investigating it now as well as RSPCA
West Ham also says dealing with, hopefully they will take the cats out of harms way, and he will have to pay.

I don't think cultural differences can be used as an excuse. My DH is from an Asian background. It's true that his family and people from his country really don't approve of pet ownership. They don't understand why we treat animals like family in this country. They also believe that animals spread disease. However, they would NEVER, ever treat an animal this way or hurt an animal. They would find it appalling. All my in-laws are very fond of my cat. This footballer has a pet cat so you can't say "Oh he's from a culture that doesn't approve of having pets" because he does have a pet! It's just a sick man getting kicks from abusing an animal - nothing else comes in to it.

[quote Nandakanda]@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Making some fairly bold assumptions there yourself.

It would be enlightening to hear what nationally Mr. Zouma considers himself to be.[/quote]
What makes you think he doesn't consider himself to be French? Given that he is?

He more than likely considers himself both, but probably CAR first before french. I don't know him personally, but I'm willing to bet.

Irrelevant detail anyway, abuse is unacceptable everywhere

Footballers rarely see any consequences for their behaviour.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-55315924
15 December 2020 - Jack Grealish fined £80,000 for drink driving.

www.bbc.com/sport/football/58859580
9 October 2021 - Gareth Southgate happy to see Jack Grealish sore his first England goal.

I live in an area where a number of London premier league players live. Twenty years ago, one of the 'hard men' broke another player's leg and was very proud of himself. After the weekend, a boy walked up to the player's daughter in the primary school that they both attended and punched her in the face because her father had injured his favourite player. The father retired shortly afterwards. Actions do have consequences.