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Puppy-Kicking Centerplate CEO Resigns

FEB. 23, 2015 UPDATE: Centerplate CEO 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, has resigned from his job.

Last week, 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.

Today Joe O’Donnell, chairman of the board, released a statement saying Hague has quit as head of the multibillion-dollar company.

“We want to reiterate that we do not condone nor would we ever overlook the abuse of animals,” O’Donnell stated. “Following an extended review of the incident involving Mr. Hague, I’d like to apologize for the distress that this situation has caused to so many; but also thank our employees, clients and guests who expressed their feelings about this incident. Their voices helped us to frame our deliberations during this very unusual and unfortunate set of circumstances.”

Last week, 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. 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 Aug. 25 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 spread, hundreds of people condemned the puppy-kicking CEO on social media using the hashtags #DesHague and #BoycottCenterplate.

Dogs’ Owner Guilty of Murder in Mauling of L.A. County Woman

OCT. 3, 2014 UPDATE: Alex Jackson was sentenced today to 15 years to life in prison. “His actions in this case show that he has a nearly psychopathic disregard for the lives and well-being of others,” said Deputy District Attorney Ryan Williams in his sentencing memo, according to the Associated Press.

Alex Jackson, the owner of four dogs who attacked and killed an Antelope Valley, Calif., woman last year, was convicted today of second-degree murder.

Pamela Devitt, 63, was mauled by the dogs as she went for a walk in May 2013. She was the first person killed by Pit Bulls in the history of Los Angeles County, and Jackson was the first dog owner in the county to face murder charges.

During the trial, Jackson claimed he didn’t realize his dogs were dangerous.

“I feel terrible about it. This isn’t anything that I orchestrated or planned, that I wanted to have happen,” he said, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The jury wasn’t buying it.

Witnesses said Jackson’s dogs would often jump over his fence and roam the neighborhood. Back in May 2013, Lt. John Corina of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department told the Los Angeles Times that Jackson’s dogs had attacked people or horses at least three times so far that year alone. In 2006, four of his dogs were ordered to be euthanized after they attacked emus.

Devitt’s savage mauling brought plenty of negative attention to Pit Bulls. L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich proposed overturning California’s prohibition of breed bans (his spokesman, Tony Bell, actually called Pit Bulls “killing machines”). In protest, hundreds of people — including me and i Love Dogs staffers Martha Smith and Sonya Simpkins — attended an anti-BSL rally outside City Hall that was organized by “Pit Boss” star Shorty Rossi. Antonovich dropped the idea.

Even Ben Devitt, Pamela’s husband of more than 40 years, told local news sources after the attack that he didn’t blame the dogs — he blamed their irresponsible owner.

“I have no animosity toward Pit Bulls and my wife had no animosity – we realize it’s people that are responsible for their animals,” he told KABC-TV News at the time.

While about 30 people nationwide die each year from dog bites, murder charges against the dogs’ owners have been very rare in the past — but that is changing.

Jackson is the third dog owner to be convicted of murder over the past 16 years. In the most famous case, in 2001 a jury convicted San Francisco attorney Marjorie Knoller of second-degree murder after her two Presa Canarios killed her neighbor, Dianne Whipple.

Photo credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Puppy-Kicking CEO Placed on Probation But Isn’t Fired

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.

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.

Lauren Bacall Leaves $10,000 to Her Beloved Papillon

“I was always a dog yearner,” Lauren Bacall told her friend, actress Glenn Close, in a 2008 interview. “I didn’t have a dog, growing up in the city with a working mother. As an only child, I yearned for someone to talk to.”

Bacall finally got her first dog, a Cocker Spaniel, when she was 16. Four years later, in 1945, she and Humphrey Bogart received a Boxer puppy, who they named Harvey, as a wedding gift. Harvey died just six months after Bogey in 1957.

Bacall’s last furry friend was a Papillon named Sophie. She told Close that her favorite thing to do was snuggle with the tiny dog.

“In the morning I have breakfast in the kitchen, and I pick her up and hold her, and her little body warms my chest and makes me feel so good,” Bacall said. “She knows life is all about her. She’s spoiled.”

Sophie may have lost her beloved dog mom, but she won’t lose her lavish lifestyle — Bacall left her $10,000 of her $26.5 million estate, according to the New York Daily News. Sophie’s new pet parent will be Bacall’s son, Sam Robards.

Making sure your dog is provided for in case she outlives you is not that unusual. Yes, there are those infamous, over-the-top cases — like Leona Helmsley wanting to leave $12 million to her Maltese (which was reduced to a paltry $2 million after the “Queen of Mean” died). But it is becoming increasingly common for regular folks to set up reasonable trust funds that will prevent their beloved pets from ending up in a shelter, or worse

Rest in peace, Betty.

Photo via YouTube

California Restaurants Just Got Dog Friendlier

If you live in California and like to dine out with your dog, you’re in luck.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill yesterday that will allow dogs to join their pet parents in restaurants’ outdoor areas, as long as the dining establishments and local ordinances are into it.

(I suppose this almost makes up for the governor subjecting his dog to the Ice Bucket Challenge.)

Many areas of California, including Los Angeles County, already allow doggie diners in restaurants’ outdoor areas. And some restaurant owners in not so dog-friendly areas have been letting canines join their two-legged customers, even though it’s illegal.

The new bill will allow Chows, etc., to chow down in restaurants statewide, as long as health codes and local ordinances are followed.

Dogs (with the exception of service dogs) will still not be permitted inside restaurants. They will be required to enter the outdoor dining area through a separate entrance. And there will be no wandering around and begging other diners for handouts — dogs must be kept on a leash or in a carrier, and won’t be allowed to sit on chairs or benches.

The bill was introduced by Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada. It goes into effect Jan. 1.

“With Governor Brown’s signature, restaurateurs in California will see more businesses catering to their customers and the canine companions they love,” Yamada stated in a press release.

“I wish everyone ‘bone-appétit.’”

Photo credit: Taro the Shiba Inu