A petition calling for legal action against West Ham’s Kurt Zouma for booting his cat across his kitchen floor has passed 250,000 signatures.
Distressing video footage showing the 27-year-old Frenchman slapping and kicking his pet sparked widespread outrage after it was circulated online.
Two sponsors have withdrawn their support for West Ham United, as manager David Moyes faces criticism for starting the defender in Tuesday’s match against Watford.
Zouma has apologised for his behaviour, insisting the Bengal cat in the video is ‘cherished’ by him and his family.
But his two cats have now been taken away by the RSPCA, as the footballer was fined £250,000 by his club – the equivalent of two weeks’ wages.
Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it is not investigating the incident, believed to have been filmed in Zouma’s £2million London home by his brother, who then uploaded it to Snapchat.
But the RSPCA could still pursue charges under private prosecution powers, which a Change.org petition now signed by more than 271,000 people is demanding.
It warns: ‘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.’
Surrey and Essex Police are also examining the footage to establish if the attack took place in their areas.
West Ham said they were dealing with the matter internally in a statement on Tuesday and ‘unreservedly condemned’ his actions.
In the wake of the video, Zouma was dropped as an ambassador for big cat rescue charity Seed, where his wife Sandra works as a project manager.
Adidas confirmed on Monday that the France international player has lost his boot deal, saying he ‘is no longer a contracted athlete’.
Insurance firm Vitality UK said it was suspending its sponsorship with West Ham after playing Zouma against Watford.
The company said: ‘We condemn animal cruelty of any kind. We are hugely disappointed by the judgment subsequently shown by the club.’
Experience Kissimmee, the tourism authority for Osceola County, Florida, was the second sponsor to withdraw its support for West Ham.
Yield APP said it was ‘disheartened’ by the Premier League club’s decision to play Zouma against Watford.
The finance firm added: ‘We will subsequently be reviewing our partnership with the club as we likewise condemn Zouma’s actions in the video circulating.’
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