West Ham defender Kurt Zouma faces up to four years in French prison for kicking his cat

Shamed West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma faces up to four years in French prison for slapping and drop-kicking his cat.

Footage of the incident was uploaded to Snapchat by the 27-year-old’s younger brother and obtained by The Sun on Monday evening.

As a consequence, Zouma has faced almost universal condemnation with former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland urging the Hammers to sack a player who cost £29.8million when the east London club signed him from Chelsea last summer.

Zouma issued a speedy apology, but that has done little or nothing to sway public opinion, with a petition calling for legal action to be taken against him already attracting 100,000 signatures.

After initially looking as though he would not face any legal repercussions, Surrey police confirmed on Tuesday evening that ‘enquiries are underway following an allegation in relation to an animal being abused’ and they are now working with the RSPCA with a view to launching a joint investigation.

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, reports that a legal complaint has been filed against the France international in Paris, which in turn has prompted lawyers working for the largest animal rights group in France, La Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis, to contact prosecutors.

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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.’

Article 113-6 of the French Penal Code states that a French citizen can be prosecuted for criminal acts carried out abroad. Tough legislation was put in place in France last year which could land anyone guilty of mistreating animals a