Footballer Kurt Zouma could face up to four years in prison in his native France for kicking and slapping his cat in Britain.
A legal complaint has been filed in Paris against the 27-year-old West Ham and France defender following widespread outrage at a video showing him attacking his pet at his home in Essex.
It led to lawyers working for the 30 Million Friends Foundation ( La Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis ), the largest animal rights group in France, contacting prosecutors.
A spokesman for the Foundation said: ‘We condemn this heinous act, have asked that the player be suspended from the France team, and filed a legal complaint against him.’
According to article 113-6 of the French Penal Code, a French citizen can be prosecuted for criminal acts carried out abroad.
Tough new animal protection laws were introduced in France in 2021, meaning that the ‘mistreatment of animals’ is now punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine equivalent to £50,000.
Aggravating factors in any criminal prosecution include acts of violence being committed in front of other people, or if the animal belongs to the attacker.
“In the case of Kurt Zouma, the video appears to show aggravating facts, so he could be in very serious trouble,” said another source close to the case.
The star has apologised in a statement for the attack on his Bengal cat, saying he was “deeply sorry, insisting that his cats are “loved and cherished”.
But senior French politicians have also condemned Zouma, who is from the eastern city of Lyon, and called for him to be kicked out of France’s national team.
Muriel Fusi, spokesperson for the French Animal party, said: “Many people on social networks are outraged by the video. Many people claim that this football player can no longer wear the colours of France”.
