Safeco Field vendor issues statement on CEO accused of abusing dog

The CEO of a catering company, whose client list includes Safeco Field, allegedly abused a dog in an elevator last month.

In a statement released Wednesday, Centerplate Inc. said Desmond Hague will be given written censure by the Board and be placed on “indefinite probation.” The company will immediately terminate Hague for further acts of misconduct.

Hague will also personally donate $100,000 to the Sade Foundation in honor of the dog he allegedly abused and will serve 1,000 hours of community service.

Read Centerplate’s full statement:

Centerplate Issues Statement Following Internal Review of Animal Cruelty Incident Involving CEO Des Hague—Censures, Penalizes and Places CEO on Indefinite Probation:

Centerplate’s Board of Directors recently convened a special meeting following the completion of an internal investigation and review of an incident involving animal cruelty by its CEO Des Hague.

We pride ourselves as individuals and as a company on how we treat others—both humans and animals. The company finds Mr. Hague’s personal behavior unacceptable and outside the bounds of our high standards and expectations of all of our staff. We do not condone nor can we overlook the mistreatment of animals and Mr. Hague’s personal misconduct.

Thus, upon internal review of the incident, and recognizing that Mr. Hague is truly ashamed of his actions and has expressed sincere remorse and shame for erratic behavior that is uncharacteristic of him we have decided to take the following immediate actions:

Mr. Hague will be given a written censure by the Board whereby he will be placed on indefinite probation stating that any further acts of misconduct would result in immediate termination.

As a condition of his continued employment with Centerplate, Mr. Hague will personally donate $100,000.00 USD which will be donated towards the establishment of the Sade Foundation in honor of the dog he mistreated in the elevator to help support the protection and safety of animals in the city of Vancouver where the incident occurred.

Further, we are requiring Mr. Hague to serve 1000 hours of community service in support of an organization that serves to protect the welfare and safety of animals.

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. 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.

Mr. Hague still faces potential charges in Vancouver, where he is personally responsible for charges and fines in relation to the incident.