Dog-kicking CEO booted out of Centerplate catering company

Centerplate Chief Executive Desmond Hague was caught on camera kicking his dog. Now, the company he helmed is kicking him to the curb.

The catering firm, which provides concessions to sports and entertainment venues such as Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, said Hague has resigned as chief executive.

“The decision comes as a result of Hague’s personal misconduct involving the mistreatment of an animal in his care,” the company said in a Tuesday statement.

The Stamford, Conn.-based company has faced a hail of criticism and calls for Hague’s firing ever since its former chief executive was caught on a security camera at a Vancouver hotel in late July physically abusing a Doberman Pinscher puppy.

Over the span of a 40-second elevator ride, Hague is shown repeatedly kicking the dog. At one point, he jerks so hard on the leash that the dog is forced into the air and then onto its hind legs.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said Hague’s “behavior was inexcusable.”

“I’m not surprised that he resigned,” Faulconer said. He added that Qualcomm Stadium’s contract with Centerplate is expiring in February, and the city is already working on putting the contract out for bids.

After the video went viral, Hague dug himself into an even deeper hole by claiming the dog belonged to a friend. In his public apology, he said the elevator episode was prompted by a “minor frustration” with the animal.

But British Columbia’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals told Fortune magazine that Hague told its officers that the dog was his.

Two SPCA officers investigating the case also found the puppy -- named Sade -- living in deplorable conditions in a Vancouver condo, according to court documents obtained by the Vancouver Sun.

Sade was in a crate with food and water out of reach, surrounded by the smell of her own urine, the Vancouver Sun reported. The investigating officers said she appeared to be physically abused.

Animal lovers have attacked Hague and Centerplate on social media. A petition on Change.org calling on Centerplate to fire Hague has gathered more than 192,000 signatures.

Hague’s resignation was a final step for Centerplate, which had been scrambling to separate itself from its chief executive.

The company ended up issuing several statements over the last week, first characterizing the incident as a personal matter, then announcing that Hague was going into anger management therapy and finally putting him on probation. Centerplate said Hague was doing community service and donating money to start his own animal-based charity.

But on Tuesday, Centerplate announced it had finally given Hague the boot and appointed COO Chris Verros as acting chief executive.

“We want to reiterate that we do not condone nor would we ever overlook the abuse of animals,” said Centerplate Chairman Joe O’Donnell in a statement.

Follow Shan Li on Twitter @ShanLi

Times staff writer Tony Perry contributed to this report.