Baylor's Zamora suspended, given community service for animal abuse

Baylor wide receiver Ishmael Zamora will serve a three-game suspension and perform community service as punishment after a June video showed him abusing his dog, the school announced Tuesday.

The suspension will begin with the Bears' season opener. He'll also need to perform 40 hours of community service "in a manner that will teach him kindness and respect towards animals," undergo counseling, and give up his dog to "an animal-friendly home," according to the school's statement.

"Ishmael's behavior toward his dog is disheartening, and is not condoned," said Baylor vice president and director of athletics Mack Rhoades. "We believe with proper counseling and training Ishmael can learn from this and I expect that of him. I've conveyed to him my expectation that his actions and his service will illustrate his commitment to change."

"I am sorry that I took out my frustration on my dog and accept the punishment that comes with it. This incident will never, ever, happen again," Zamora said. "I truly love my dog, however, I know that my actions showed differently and I know that I made a big mistake."

Zamora added that he hopes that his journey through counseling can show everyone that he will not be defined by this one incident.

"Eventually, I hope that everyone can see who I really am and that I am not a terrible person," Zamora said. "This incident does not and will not define me, and I know that I am the one who will have to prove that to others in the days ahead."

A Baylor teammate's Snapchat video showed Zamora hitting the dog with a belt and kicking it. A former student reported the video, and Waco police cited Zamora for a Class "C" misdemeanor.