Kurt Zouma: petition for RSPCA to prosecute West Ham footballer over cat kicking video explained - how to sign

Over 300,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Premier League footballer Kurt Zouma be prosecuted after a video emerged of the West Ham defender kicking his pet cat.

The French International, 27, has since apologised for his actions in the video but anti animal abuse campaigners want to see the former Chelsea star held accountable by Metropolitan Police and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

The former Chelsea player started for West Ham in their 1-0 Premier League win over Watford last night, a decision from the club and their head coach David Moyes which has been criticised by many.

The player appeared to be booed by both home and away supporters during the fixture.

However, the club have since issue the player with a heavy fine and the RSPCA have confiscated the animal.

Here is everything you need to know about the petition including how to sign it as well as what Kurt Zouma and David Moyes have said:

Petition to prosecute Kurt Zouma - how to sign

The petition to prosecute Kurt Zouma for kicking his pet cat can be signed at Change.org and currently has over 310,000 signatures.

It was started by “Anti Animal Abuse” and says: “Shocking video footage shared on social media shows French international and West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma drop kicking and slapping his pet Bengal cat in the presence of both his brother and a young child (the example set?) . Both Zouma and his brother can be heard laughing throughout the footage.

“The mere fact that Zouma considers this funny and worthy of sharing on the Snapchat platform shows his disdain for animals and leads us to wonder what happens to animals in Zouma’s ‘care’ privately?

“In the UK we have laws against the abuse of animals, laws which should be applicable to everyone rich or poor, famous or not!

“We ask that the Metropolitan Police and RSPCA carry out an urgent investigation and prosecute the perpetrators of this heinous act.

“Further we ask that the RSPCA remove all animals from Zouma’s ‘care’ immediately!” [This has since been done.]

“Failure to take action in this case will send the message that animal abuse for entertainment is justified, that for the rich and famous breaking the law is no problem! Neither are acceptable!”

Kurt Zouma apology - what did the footballer say?

Kurt Zouma released a statement following the footage becoming public.

He said: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.

“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.

“They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”

West Ham v Watford - What did head coach David Moyes say about Kurt Zouma?

West Ham Football Club and their head coach David Moyes have been criticised for the decision to play Kurt Zouma in their 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham AFTER the footage of the player kicking his cat became public.

Speaking after the match to BBC Match of the Day, Moyes said: ““It’s something we’re all disappointed with and something we can’t understand.

“He’ll learn from it [but] today I had to pick a football team that gave me the best chance of winning the game as manager of West Ham.

“I know how people feel, but I’m also a football manager here.

“My feeling was that Kurt has apologised and I understand a lot of people will not just be accepting of an apology. But to me he came out and [apologised] honestly and I had to do my job.”

West Ham v Leicester City? Will Kurt Zouma play for the Hammers?

Speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Leicester City this weekend, Moyes addressed the controversy surrounding his decision to include Zouma in midweek, as well as suggesting that the Frenchman could feature again on Sunday.

He said: “Yes he [Zouma] is available to play against Leicester.

“It’s different views, different opinions over whether he should be available or not. We as a club took the decision to say he should be available and we stand by that.

“I don’t think the club could have taken more action, any quicker, than what they’ve done. West Ham have done a really good job in fining him maximum wages. We all accepted they (his actions) were diabolical. But we’ve chosen to play him and we stand by that.”

The Scot added: “We are so disappointed it is completely out of character from Kurt he is a really good lad we are going to get him some help and trying to give him as much help as we can.

“Like drink driving offences most people have to go to classes and RSPCA are going to provide him with classes and we will do everything we can to make sure Kurt is looking into it and getting better and understanding it.

“He is very disappointed and incredibly remorseful and sometimes in life you need forgiveness and he is hoping for that. Many of us through out lives make mistakes.”

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