Des Hague, the U.S. CEO who was caught on video mistreating a puppy in Vancouver, has resigned from his position as head of a multi-billion dollar sports arena catering company.
Surveillance footage from a hotel elevator captured Hague repeatedly kicking a Doberman Pinscher that was less than a year old, and hauling it up by its leash. The video was sent to the B.C. SPCA, which launched an investigation, and was obtained by Global News earlier this month.
Until Tuesday, Hague was president and CEO of Connecticut-based Centerplate, which has contracts with sports venues across North America.
After the video was publicized, Hague issued a statement through his lawyers that he was "ashamed and deeply embarrassed," calling the incident a "minor frustration with a friend's pet [that] caused me to lose control of my emotional response."
Hague had already agreed to donate $100,000 to create an animal welfare foundation in Vancouver and complete 1,000 hours of community service with an animal welfare group.
Despite that, more than 189,000 signatures had been collected in an online petition calling for Hague's dismissal.
On Tuesday, Centerplate's board of directors announced that Hague's resignation was "a result of Hague's personal misconduct involving the mistreatment of an animal in his care."
"We want to reiterate that we do not condone nor would we ever overlook the abuse of animals," said board chair Joe O'Connell in a statement.
"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."
Chief operating officer Chris Verros takes on the role of acting president and chief executive officer of Centerplate.
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