Jeffrey Previte, the CEO of EBI Consulting an environmental consulting firm in Los Angeles, was captured on camera at the Seychelle Condominiums building in Santa Monica, aggressively beating his four month old dog, Bici.
Security footage outside of Previte’s apartment, which can be found online, captured the heinous act after Previte found something on the ground near Bici and then angrily seized the animal by the right side of its head with his left fist. He yanks the dog off the ground, fist clenched around its skin, before slapping the dog while shaking it around.
Opening a door, he then yanks the animal some more as the door closes behind him. A minute later, Previte emerges from behind the door carrying Bici with his right hand clenched around the dog’s throat. Repositioning his hand to carry the dog by its collar, he then slaps the dog again before briefly setting it down and carrying it off-camera.
“There’s nothing illegal about what I did,” Previte claimed after his building’s concierge called him at 9 p.m. on August 22 and allegedly tried to escort money from Previte in return for not reporting the incident. “I said if you need to tell the building, tell the building.” Previte continues “The building manager took it very seriously. I find it very unfortunate that we are even talking about this.”
The Santa Monica Police Department wrote in a tweet that its Animal Services Unit is investigating the incident for a possible violation of Penal Code 597(a).
Penal Code 597(a) is an animal abuse law citing anyone who “maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, or wounds a living animal.” Other subsections of the law mention the inflicting of “unnecessary cruelty”, “needless suffering” and abuse of any kind against animals.
Previte’s brother, who is co-CEO of EBI Consulting defended his brother stating his actions were a “zealous discipline of the dog for peeing on the rug.” Previte’s brother, Nolan insists his brother is kindhearted and deeply cares for the dog he was caught on video beating.
After claiming being a victim of extortion Previte then issued an apology letter to his colleagues and friends, he writes:
“I want everyone to know that I truly regret my actions on August 22, 2020. Words can’t fully describe how sorry I am for what happened.
I lost my temper and took unreasonable and unjustifiable action in attempting to discipline my dog Bici. As I have said, words are not enough here. Bici is no longer living with me and is with another loving family. I have also stepped away from my job and am enrolling in anger management training.”
EBI consulting has deactivated its Twitter and Facebook pages and have removed any mention of Jeffrey Previte from its website.
Despite apologizing and surrendering the dog to a more loving home, Previte could still face charges.
