Video Shows CEO Kicking A Puppy In An Elevator, Forcing Him To Apologize

[Playinghardball]

Multimillionaire Des Hague, CEO of $6 billion-dollar snack company Centerplate has been caught kicking a friend’s puppy multiple times in the stomach, thanks to recently released footage caught on an elevator surveillance camera in July. In the disturbing video, Hague is seen abusing the small Doberman as it flinches from being kicked and yanked into the air.

When footage and word of the incident got out, officers from British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals went to investigate the Vancouver apartment where the Doberman puppy lived. On Sunday, The Vancouver Sun reported the officers’ findings:
“…they found a Doberman pinscher puppy in its crate, surrounded by the stench of its own urine with its food and water bowls out of reach, according to court documents. Once let out of her cage, Sade — the one-year-old female puppy — was skittish around people and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officers said she appeared physically abused, according to the information to obtain a search warrant filed in B.C. Provincial Court and obtained by The Sun.”

Hague has been CEO of Centerplate since 2009 and is well-known in the food service industry. Upon seeing the footage, animal rights activists and animal lovers in general were infuriated. Many requested that all Centerplate operations across Canada be boycotted.

On Tuesday, Centerplate released a statement, distancing itself from Hague’s disgraceful actions:

“We are aware of the incident involving Centerplate CEO Des Hague and the attention surrounding it. The company has now gathered all of the current facts from local authorities and is in the process of conducting an internal review. Centerplate does not condone the mistreatment of animals by any of its employees. Mr. Hague has agreed to attend counseling to address his anger management issues and has publicly expressed he is deeply ashamed and remorseful for his behavior. He has apologized to everyone directly involved as well as to the company’s clients and employees, and has pledged a significant, personal, multi-year financial commitment to help support the protection and safety of animals. There will be a public statement as soon as Centerplate completes its review.” (

More here:http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/27/video-shows-ceo-kicking-a-puppy-in-an-elevator-forcing-him-to-apologize/

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Geeze, I hope the 'friend' isn't a friend any more.

Poor dog

[Skittles]

5. can you imagine?

it's criminal

[BeyondGeography]

2. Looked for The Onion link

[Curmudgeoness]

3. What the fuck is his problem!

I couldn't really tell from that video what was going on, but it is apparent that this guy is a total asshole. I only regret that I can't boycott that company since I have never heard of it....and an apology is bullshit. "I'm sorry I got caught."

[EEO]

6. He is probably a sociopath. They can be exceptionally successful in business.

[glowing]

22. That's what I was thinking as well. n/t

[Spitfire of ATJ]

11. The dog probably took a dump on his rug and he's a prissy asshole who never had a dog as a kid.

[shenmue]

4. Eeeeew

I hate cruelty.

[bl968]

7. Psychopaths

Many if not all CEO's are known to be psychopathic.

[KurtNYC]

18. Nannies, boarding schools, prep schools, groomed like show dogs,

paraded for photo ops then back to the handlers -- the lack of empathy may come from their own upbringing.

[navarth]

8. I hereby volunteer

to kick this mother fucker in the balls once for every time he kicked that innocent puppy. Just set it up, I'll be there. With my CEO-Stomping boots.

This shit really pisses me off. There is NO FUCKING EXCUSE for animal cruelty.

Fucking humans.

[MrMickeysMom]

9. I'll lend you my spiked toes, and I didn't even watch this crap happen...

I volunteer to have the puppy hold the camera and wait for the apology from said CEO for being a fucking asshole.

[mackerel]

10. I hope the puppy is in safe hands now.

I've never heard of Centerplate. I wonder what labels are on their product line?

[KurtNYC]

19. Their tagline is "Making it better to be there since 1929 (unless "there" is an elevator).”

http://centerplate.com/

350 venues, mostly sports stadiums, boycott forming now:

http://fortune.com/2014/08/25/dog-abuse-video-stadium-food-centerplate-des-hague/

[passiveporcupine]

12. I'm sorry...yeah that's all we need to hear

Centerplate is requiring Hague donate $100,000 to create a foundation in the name of the abused dog. He also must do 1,000 hours of community service in support of an organization that serves to protect the welfare and safety of animals. Here is the full press release. Additionally, he is being given a written censure, and is placed on indefinite probation that states any further acts of misconduct would result in immediate termination.

http://www.ninersnation.com/2014/8/27/6075157/centerplate-announces-discipline-for-ceo-desmond-hague

Why wasn't he terminated immediately? Anyone who will do this to a dog, will abuse a person as well. And I bet it shows in his business decisions that affect his employees.

Yes I know, these are traits that are "desirable" in CEO's, but they shouldn't be.

[freshwest]

13. No criminal charges? He could've ruptured the pup's insides. Needs jail time. And a record.

If a person doesn't want an animal or a child, or even adult so much they batter them, they need to give them away, set them loose or whatever. No excuse for torturing another sentient being. If I could, I'd boycott their stuff until they holler for this POS's arrest. Review my ass!

[WCLinolVir]

14. Is there a point to him breathing? The CEO.

It's hard to find a rationale for his continued existence on this planet. That poor sweet dog. And why were no charges filed?

[Turbineguy]

15. Kicking a dog?

But he prefers employees.

[Granny M]

16. Googling this Centerplate company

to find out what to boycott. He should be prosecuted.

[A Simple Game]

17. I know people that would treat him the way he treated that dog,

I would like to introduce them to each other.

[KurtNYC]

20. Boycott until Hague is fired.

Centerplate will likely try to just do press releases and say he will get anger management BS. They will treat this as a PR issue and part of the cost of doing business unless there is an effective boycott with the goal of getting Hague fired.

Boycott forming here (note the LA Zoo is one venue):

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Centerplate-Catering/716804188373478

[Loki]

21. Centerplate has a Facebook page

and there is a Change petition online: https://www.change.org/p/centerplate-fire-ceo-des-hague-for-animal-cruelty

He lied about this being a friends dog, it was found to be his. Makes this excuse by this company even worse, if that's possible. Having an animal abuser as a CEO of your company, and then protecting him. Centerplate has venues all over the US, it's time to contact these teams and let them know Centerplate should be removed if they continue to allow Des Hague to remain as their CEO.

These are just a few of their venues. Their web page has taken down their entire list.

Levi's Stadium
Notre Dame
Tropicana Field
Qualcomm Stadium
Fedex Field
Colonial Life Arena At the University of South Carolina
KFC Yum! Center (University of Louisville)
Safeco Field
AT&T Park
The Superdome
Belmont Park
Sun Life Stadium
Durham Bulls