Kurt Zouma and animal abuse

That this House condemns the animal cruelty displayed by West Ham United football player Kurt Zouma, who was filmed drop kicking and slapping his pet Bengal cat in his home; strongly believes there can be no excuse for abusing animals in any circumstances; deplores the fact that this incident took place in front of a child and was posted on social media whilst the person recording the video, Mr Zouma’s brother Yoan, can heard laughing as he witnesses this abuse of a defenceless animal; notes the well-established link between animal abuse and violence against other people; condemns West Ham United’s decision to continue fielding the player in the days following the incident, thereby normalising his behaviour and sending the message to its young supporters that animal abuse is acceptable; supports the RSPCA’s decision to remove Mr Zouma’s pets from his home for their own safety; notes the RSPCA's investigation of this matter; and is disappointed that West Ham United did not show moral leadership on this matter by failing to take the opportunity to show football fans around the world that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated from its players no matter how accomplished their footballing skills may be.