In late July of 2014, Desmond Hague, former CEO of International Catering Company Centerplate, was caught on video camera dragging, kicking, and choking a Doberman puppy by its leash. Desmond Hague was the CEO of a multibillion dollar Connecticut company since 2009. After the release of the elevator surveillance video he resigned from his position as CEO and provided an apologetic statement.

“I am ashamed and deeply embarrassed… a minor frustration with a friend’s pet caused me to lose control of 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,” said Mr. Hague.

Mr. Hague deceived investigators by claiming the dog in the footage did not belong to him.  A spokesman for BCSPCA was the source to refute this information. The BCSPCA also took custody of the pup. Desmond has agreed to donate $100,000 to the Sade foundation in verbatim “In honor of the puppy he mistreated.” He is also attending counseling for anger management problems and serving 1,000 hours of community service to an animal protection agency. Although he has stepped down from CEO, a petition has been created encouraging Centerplate to fire Hague completely. So far there have been 150,000 signatures. This has not been the only outstanding case of shocking animal abuse in recent years.

In March 2013 a 56 year old man named Keith Morgan found a 17-year-old malnourished Cocker Spaniel in a plastic bag on the side of the road left to die. Sammy (The Cocker Spaniel could not walk because his matted coat was covered in urine and feces. Keith Morgan soon took the dog to The Humane Society.
In June 2011, a Philippine teenager, named Jerzon Senador caused public outrage after he suspended his own puppy from the skin on its back from a clothes line and took several pictures of it in different angles to post on Facebook. The PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society) soon launched an investigation. Jerzon was punished by imprisonment of six months to two years and/or fined of $1, 000 to $5,000.

There are several charitable foundations that take donations to provide medical treatments, food, shelter, and adoptions to animals who have been abused and mistreated. Some examples of these charities include The Humane Society, ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and Pilotsnpaws.

As Mahatma Ghandi said: “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”