FEB. 23, 2015 UPDATE: Des Hague pleaded guilty today to one count of animal cruelty.
Des Hague, the Centerplate CEO caught on camera kicking a Doberman puppy in an elevator, was placed on probation today — but he still has his job.
Centerplate’s board of directors sent Fox59 a statement saying that after reviewing the case during a special meeting today, they decided to do the following:
- Place Hague on indefinite probation, “stating that any further acts of misconduct would result in immediate termination.”
- Hague must donate $100,000 toward establishing a “Sade Foundation,” named after the puppy he kicked, which will protect animals in Vancouver, where the abuse took place.
- He must also perform 1,000 hours of community service for an organization that protects the welfare and safety of animals.
- He will be slapped very firmly on the wrist.
(Okay, I made up that last one.)
“Centerplate in no way condones the mistreatment of animals, and as a strong sign of our conviction, we the company will also contribute a portion of our sales to the Sade Foundation,” the board stated. “Additionally, we will open this foundation to all Centerplate employees and the general public who want to support and contribute in the hope that meaningful change can come out of this tragic situation.”
In the video, taken July 27 inside an elevator at the upscale Private Residences at Hotel Georgia, Hague can be seen repeatedly kicking the puppy’s stomach, and then choking her by yanking up her leash and suspending her in the air.
When BC SPCA investigators tracked down Hague in one of the condos, they found the puppy, named Sade, in a urine-soaked crate, with food and water bowls beyond her reach. When Sade was removed from the crate, she was skittish and appeared to have been physically abused.
Hague released a contrite statement Monday through his attorney, claiming the incident was “completely and utterly out of character. I am ashamed and deeply embarrassed … a minor frustration with a friend’s pet caused me to lose control of my emotional response.”
As news of the case has spread, a growing number of outraged people are calling for a boycott of Centerplate until Hague is terminated.
Hague conveniently deleted his Twitter account late last week, but people are using the hashtags #DesHague and #BoycottCenterplate to condemn the puppy-kicking CEO.
Here’s the surveillance video showing Hague losing control of his emotional response.