Puppy-Kicking Former Centerplate CEO Pleads Guilty to Cruelty Charge

Des Hague, who resigned as the CEO of Centerplate in September after being caught on camera kicking a Doberman puppy in an elevator, pleaded guilty today to one animal cruelty charge of causing an animal to be in distress, Global News reports.

Hague was initially charged with two animal cruelty counts under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, according to a CTV Vancouver story Jan. 23.

If convicted, Hague faces a fine of up to $75,000, a maximum of two years in jail and a lifetime ban on having pets, CTV Vancouver reported. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 15.

After the video went viral in August, Centerplate’s board of directors put Hague on probation, but didn’t fire him — despite growing outrage and boycotts of Centerplate food, which is sold in many major sports venues.

Per the board of directors’ request, Hague agreed to donate $100,000 to establish a “Sade Foundation,” named after the puppy he kicked, to protect animals in Vancouver, where the kicking took place. Nearly six months later, there has been no news about the foundation.

Hague was also asked to complete 1,000 hours of community service for an animal-welfare organization and to attend anger-management sessions.

In the video, taken inside an elevator July 27 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 in late August 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.”

Here’s the surveillance video showing Hague as he lost control of his emotional response.