Kurt Zouma has been ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service after pleading guilty to slapping and kicking his cat.
According to the Athletic, the West Ham United defender and his brother, Yoan, have also been banned from owning cats for five years.
Yoan was sentenced to 140 hours of community service.
District judge Holdham said: “Kurt Zouma you were the owner of two cats. Those cats looked to you to care for their needs. But on the 4th of February you caused them unnecessary suffering for your own amusement.”
Zouma pleaded guilty to the offences at Thames Magistrates’ Court last week.
The 27-year-old returned to the same court on Wednesday for his sentencing.
Zouma was filmed earlier this year appearing to kick and slap one of his cats in a video uploaded to social media.
West Ham fined Zouma £250,000 and he was dropped by a number of his sponsors. However, he continued to be selected by manager David Moyes.
Yoan did not make a National League appearance for Dagenham and Redbridge after the incident became public. He did, however, make one FA Trophy appearance and was an unused substitute in the league on several occasions.
A West Ham spokesperson said: “West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma has been handed a community service order following an investigation by the RSPCA.
“West Ham United wishes to make clear that we condemn in the strongest terms any form of animal abuse or cruelty. This type of behaviour is unacceptable and is not in line with the values of the football club.
“Within 48 hours of the footage emerging, we fined Kurt the maximum available to the club.
“Every single penny of this money is now with a number of deserving charities, all dedicated to animal welfare.
“Kurt admitted at the earliest opportunity that what he did was wrong. He has apologised without reservation.
“We hope that now the court has reached its decision, everyone will allow Kurt the chance to learn from his mistake and move on.”
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
