Video of a man abusing a dog has some calling for a boycott of a company that does business with San Diego, specifically Qualcomm Stadium and the San Diego Convention Center.
The video shows the man kicking a small dog in an elevator in Vancouver, B.C., and yanking hard at its collar. According to Global News in Canada, investigators with the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals say the man in the video is the chief executive officer of Centerplate, a Connecticut-based catering company operating concessions at many venues throughout Canada and the United States. That includes venues like Qualcomm Stadium and the San Diego Convention Center.
Animal rights groups have called for a boycott of food concessions from Centerplate operations across Canada.
What do folks in San Diego think?
Jenny Ennis, an Australian attending a convention in San Diego said: “If he does that to an animal, what does he do to his colleagues? What does he do to his employees? You have to ask those questions. Absolutely I would boycott him.”
Bobby Hayes, an avid football fan at Qualcomm Stadium said he would “boycott the food, but not the drinks.”
Troy Brehmer, attending a convention in San Diego from Chicago, said “absolutely” he would not buy the food at the company’s concession. “Somebody in his position definitely deserves whatever he gets.”
In a statement, Steve Johnson, a spokesperson for the San Diego Convention Center, called the behavior seen in the video “disturbing. “ Noting that the CEO has apologized and that the legal authorities in Canada are reviewing the incident, the statement says: “While deeply troubling, (the CEO’s) actions are personal and are not a reflection of the hundreds of local San Diego Centerplate employees that deliver the highest quality of service at the San Diego Convention Center every day."
Centerplate released this statement:
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.
