Following the release of the video last week that showed Desmond Hague, CEO of Centerplate, kicking a Doberman pinscher and hoisting it by its leash, the company is expected to announce Hague's resignation and replacement today, as the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The huge catering company services both AT&T Park and Levi's Stadium as well as 300 other venues around the country, and the roar for Hague's removal on social media proved too huge for the company to overcome, despite an initial slap on the wrist.
The board of directors of the Connecticut-based Centerplate is expected to release a statement Tuesday announcing the appointment of chief operating officer Chris Verros as CEO, effective immediately.
The Union-Tribune got a copy of the draft release, which says:
"Following an extended review of the incident involving Mr. Hague, I’d like to apologize for the distress that this situation has caused to so many; but also thank our employees, clients and guests who expressed their feelings about this incident. Their voices helped us to frame our deliberations during this very unusual and unfortunate set of circumstances."
The story went widely viral just as baseball season is hitting its height and football season is about to begin, and customers at stadiums around the country were vowing to boycott concessions to protest Hague's animal abuse. The company was likely facing the potential loss of contracts as well, with people like San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer vowing to review the contract for his city's Qualcomm Stadium, which was up for renewal in February.
As for the explanation for the initial incident (which really deserves no justification), which happened at a residential complex in Vancouver, a source told the paper this:
The source said Hague had been at a reception in late July and was taking the dog named Sade out for a walk after several cocktails. Apparently the leash caught in his hand as Sade tried to run ahead and Hague became angry when he hurt his fingers while trying to control the animal.
Will Hague still be pursuing therapy and starting a foundation to prevent animal cruelty? That remains to be seen.
