Kurt Zouma, a defender for West Ham United, could face up to four years in prison in his home France for kicking and hitting his cat in the United Kingdom.
Following global indignation over a video showing him abusing his cat at his home in Essex, a legal complaint has been lodged in Paris against the 27-year-old French footballer.
Lawyers for the 30 Million Friends Foundation (La Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis), France’s largest animal rights organization, contacted French prosecutors after seeing the clip.
‘We condemn this horrific crime, have requested that the player be suspended from the France squad, and have filed a legal complaint against him,’ said a representative for the group.
In France, tough new animal protection rules went into effect in 2021, making “mistreatment” of animals illegal.
In 2021, France enacted tough new animal protection legislation, making “mistreatment of animals” punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of up to £50,000.
A French citizen can be tried for illegal conduct committed outside of France, according to Article 113-6 of the French Penal Code.
Acts of violence performed in front of other persons, or if the animal belongs to the offender, are aggravating factors in any criminal trial.
“The video appears to demonstrate aggravating facts in the case of Kurt Zouma, therefore he could be in very big danger,” a person close to the matter stated.
On Tuesday, Zouma issued a statement expressing his “deep regret” for his conduct and claiming that it was a “isolated incident.”
Senior French lawmakers have also criticised Zouma, a native of Lyon in the east, and asked for his expulsion from the national team.
“It’s shameful,” Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally party and a presidential contender, stated. I continue to believe that anyone who can be terrible to animals may also be harsh to humans. “Violence is never insignificant.”
In the United Kingdom, Essex Police announced that they are in contact with the RSPCA, an animal welfare organization, as part of their “urgent inquiries.”
The inquiry is “being led by the RSPCA,” according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police.
It added because the alleged incident happened “outside of the geographical area… policed by the Met” it does not fall within their remit.
You got love for animal more than you have for your fellow humans. The world will be a safer place if you have love for fellow humans. Western powers support war everywhere, killed people and still killing people all over. People are dying of starvation, you don’t care. Only for someone to kicked a cat you’re making it out of headlines all over the place. Your need to shut the hell up.! Your got a way of bringing people down.