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Baylor suspends WR Ishmael Zamora for 3 games

Baylor head coach Jim Grobe listens to a question during the Big 12 college football media days in Dallas, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Baylor head coach Jim Grobe listens to a question during the Big 12 college football media days in Dallas, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Baylor wide receiver Ishmael Zamora will miss the first three games of the season after video surfaced showing him kicking and hitting his dog with a belt.

The school and its athletic department announced the suspension Tuesday and said that Zamora, a redshirt sophomore, must complete 40 hours of community service “in a manner that will teach him kindness and respect toward animals.” The receiver will also enter counseling and “must relinquish the dog to an animal-friendly home.”

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Zamora was issued a class C misdemeanor citation from City of Waco Police last month.

In a release, the school said Bears football coaches “immediately reported the incident to campus authorities as required by university policy and continued through the university’s student disciplinary process.”

“Our football program does not condone this behavior by anyone. We are deeply saddened by it and have worked together with the university to hold Ishmael accountable for his actions,” acting head coach Jim Grobe said.

Zamora, who was listed with the first-team offense on a depth chart issued Monday, will be allowed to practice with the team during his suspension “provided he meets the other provisions of his sanctions,” the school said.

The 6-4, 215-pound Zamora had nine receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns in 2015. He is expected to be one of the team’s top receivers this season.

Since video of the incident came out in the media earlier this month, the school has faced increased scrutiny during an already turbulent offseason. As of Monday afternoon, more than 150,000 people had signed a petition calling for Zamora’s dismissal from the program.

“We have received communications about this incident from many passionate individuals over the past 10 days, and I am aware of their concerns,” Grobe said. “Our goal is for this discipline to be educational and restorative, and I believe that we have taken corrective measures to help Ishmael learn from his actions and to better understand the behavior we demand from all students at the university.”

Added vice president and athletic director Mack Rhoades: “Ishmael’s behavior toward his dog is disheartening, and is not condoned. 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.”

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This incident surfaced after the continued fallout from the investigation into the school and athletic department’s handling of sexual assault allegations. The investigation, completed by Philadelphia-based law firm Pepper Hamilton, resulted in the firing of head coach Art Briles and the resignations of president and chancellor Ken Starr and athletic director Ian McCaw.

Grobe has replaced Briles on an “acting” basis while the school hired Rhoades from Missouri to replace McCaw.

The Bears’ football season starts Friday night at home against Northwestern State. Zamora will also miss games against SMU and at Rice. He returns Sept. 24 vs. Oklahoma State.

For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!