Centerplate CEO Des Hague filmed abusing dog in elevator

Cameras are a pervasive part of everyday life, and often the source of near-endless outcries about loss of privacy. Though those concerns are valid, there are times when such technology proves beneficial to both humans and animals, and one excellent example is how a simple elevator camera brought otherwise hidden animal abuse to light.

Centerplate's CEO Des Hague has been caught on video abusing a dog, doing so inside an elevator after the doors closed where no one would see him do it. The dog — leashed and cowering — is also seen being lifted into the air by its collar, before being ushered back out of the elevator. The altercation happened last month in an apartment complex's elevator in Vancouver. The entire ordeal was captured on the elevator's camera, and though there's no audio, it is obvious Hague was taking out some anger on the dog.

He is filmed repeatedly kicking it in the ribs and jerking it around multiple times, as well as hoisting it into the air using the leash. It seems the dog is not his own, but instead that of a friend. Hague said in a statement recently:

"This incident is completely and utterly out of character and I am ashamed and deeply embarrassed. Under the circumstances of the evening in question, a minor frustration with a friend's pet caused me to lose control of my emotional response. Unfortunately, I acted inappropriately, and I am deeply sorry for that and am very grateful that no harm was caused to the animal."

According to the Vancouver Sun, the local SPCA was tipped off by someone who had access to the elevator's camera and was concerned about what he or she witnessed. A search warrant was used to enter the 39th floor condo of the complex, where the dog — named Sade — was said to be found crated away from food and water and lying in urine.

Centerplate has also issued a statement, saying among other things that "Mr. Hague has agreed to attend counseling to address his anger management issues" — surely a good idea for someone provoked to such anger over a self-admitted "minor frustration".

SOURCE: Oregon Live