Finally the West Ham cat kicker goes to court!!

It’s a shame on a serious thread where the whole OP has been diluted

I agree with that and we did try to discuss it.

So let's say we are, with possibly one exception, united in our condemnation of the actions of Zouma and his brother, they are guilty as we have seen from the video and have pleaded such. We await the decision of the court as regards their sentences but realise they will be unlikely to have much effect on Zouma, his finances and his career; possibly a greater effect on the brother whose club took a more acceptable (to most of us) line when the offences came to light. Is there anything to argue about there?

Callistemon21

^It’s a shame on a serious thread where the whole OP has been diluted^

I agree with that and we did try to discuss it.

I agree with that and we did try to discuss it.

Yes, I agree, too.

There have been other acts of cruelty to animals which have made the headlines, but I think this one stands out mainly because it was recorded on video and then put on social media (Snapchat, originally) by his brother (presumably with his approval, for 'entertainment'. In one of the videos, apparently, the images include a caption with a series of laughing emojis. Zouma brought the cat from another room into the kitchen, and drop-kicked it across the floor. And of course, his children were witness to this.

That's why I find his apology - his assurance that the cats are "loved and cherished" by the entire family - rather hollow and false.

If he'd been caught on camera accidentally by someone, lashing out in a fit of temper, that might have made me feel differently. But it was a pre-meditated attack, with no remorse after the event (quite the contrary) - until the public reacted.

I wonder if others feel the same. Acts of cruelty to animals are always distressing, but this one stands out (for me) because of the above.

I agree Dickens. Certainly not a spur-of-the-moment lashing out. And that increases the gravity of the crime so far as I'm concerned, as does the fact that it was thought to be something amusing, to be shared with others (who have carried out and filmed similar attacks as a result).

I agree with the last two posts 100%

Chris Packham has said that Zouma should do community service at an animal rescue centre.

I understand where the great man Packham is coming from, but I really don’t agree with that at all.

What do you ladies think?

In the meantime I’m going to look for a link…

I’m with you Fanny I do not want to see Zouma anywhere near any animals.

I agree Dickens, but it’s mainly in the news because he’s a ‘prominent person’ for want of a better description. Others have sadly been caught on cctv/camera and it’s been reported in the press, just not as widely.

I wouldn’t want him working with animals. At the risk of igniting another fire, I would prefer any community service to be menial, humiliating and carried out in public.

He could work with this animal..

If only.
Incidentally, his wife works with (?) a charity that looks after the welfare of big cats.

This!!

MissAdventure

If only.
Incidentally, his wife works with (?) a charity that looks after the welfare of big cats.

I know…oh the irony!!

It didn’t post the first time although obviously it did. ??

Perhaps she might bring one home, like children take the school rabbits home for the holidays??

Shinamae

He could work with this animal..

... I bet he wouldn't have tried to drop-kick a bloody great big Alsatian or Great Dane either.

I'm still seething at the fact that he's apologised and we're supposed to accept that's the end of it.

I'm hoping that the strength of feeling has had an effect on his sense of entitlement.
Swept the rug out from under him, and made him very, very uneasy, at least.

Anything else is going to go in one ear and out the other, I'd imagine.

Germanshepherdsmum

I wouldn’t want him working with animals. At the risk of igniting another fire, I would prefer any community service to be menial, humiliating and carried out in public.

I don’t understand why anyone would want this man doing community service with animals or any other vulnerable group.
Get him doing hard physical work, litter picking

I’m waiting to see what the sentence is tomorrow…

Me too.

Today’s the day! Almost the first thing I thought of when I woke up.

I’m here too! ?

Fingers crossed it’s a harsh decision.

??

I feel quite nervous about this TBH, dreading him not getting the harsh decision he deserves.