The CEO of multi-billion dollar sports catering company Centerplate was caught on video repeatedly kicking a his friend’s puppy in an elevator.
The man in the video is Des Hague, the CEO of Centerplate which provides concessions for major sports arenas.
The footage surfaced last week and was taken from a Vancouver apartment building’s elevator surveillance camera.
Centerplate released this statement:
“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, multiyear financial commitment to help support the protection and safety of animals.”
As can be expected, there has been severe public backlash and threats of boycott from Centerplate concessions with many calling for the firing of Hague. According to Business Insider, Fortune speculates the company will indeed suffer financially from this incident.
Hague also released this statement:
“I am ashamed and deeply embarrassed a minor frustration with a friend’s pet caused me to lose control of my emotional response. I would like to extend my apology to my family, company and clients, as I understand that this has also reflected negatively on them.”
Centerplate has allegedly fined Hague over the incident, ESPN reports that he is donating $100,000 to the Safe Foundation, and he is charged with serving 1000 hours of community service at an animal-protection agency. Hague will also attend anger management counseling.
While it’s very obvious animal cruelty will never be tolerated by the public especially when you are the chief of a multi-billion dollar organization, we should also remember that we are practically always being watched.
