The CEO of a Los Angeles-based environmental consulting firm has temporarily stepped down from his position after security footage emerged showing him brutally abusing his 4-month-old pitbull puppy.

Last month, Jeffrey Previte, 64, the CEO of EBI Consulting, was captured brutally abusing his dog Bici (alternatively reported as “Beachy”) near the elevator doors of his luxury condominium building. According to The Sun, the incident allegedly began when the puppy urinated on the building’s carpet.

The security footage of the incident, recorded on August 22, shows the CEO yanking the defenseless dog by the scruff of its neck before jerking it through the door and giving it a hard smack. At one point, Previte is even seen grabbing the dog by its throat.

According to reports, the concierge of the building heard the dog’s cries from the condominium office. In an interview with DailyMail.com, the concierge recalled: “I heard the dog screaming and when I looked on the camera, I saw him beating the dog.”

The employee, disturbed by what had occurred, immediately filed a report with the building’s management. Unfortunately, the concierge claims, his concerns weren’t taken seriously. “My boss laughed in my face,” he said. “I took the next day off work. I just felt that they should have called the police at least.”

The concierge reportedly also contacted Previte directly to inform him that he would be filing a report.

In response, the employee claims that Previte became irate.

When DailyMail.com contacted Previte for a statement, the CEO confirmed that the concierge did contact him, however, Previte claims that the employee was attempting to extort money from him in exchange for not making the report. “There’s nothing illegal about what I did,” Previte claimed to have told the concierge. “If you need to tell the building, tell the building.”

Unfortunately, much of the internet seems to have disagreed with Previte’s assessment. Social media users tagged EBI Consulting in an effort to get Previte fired or to force him to resign. At the time of this writing, his social media accounts have been deactivated, and his brother, Nolan Previte, is now listed as EBI Consulting’s present President and CEO.

Since the video emerged, the Santa Monica Police Department has also announced that it is investigating the incident.

PRESS RELEASE: Animal Cruelty Case Update

Based on info gathered, SMPD to present case to District Attoney’s Office for consideration of violation 597(a) of the California Penal Code, Malicious Mischief Against an Animal / Animal Cruelty. Details: https://t.co/tqlNlPfF4d

— Santa Monica Police (@SantaMonicaPD) September 11, 2020

And despite Previte having previously claimed he’d done nothing illegal, DailyMail.com acquired copies of an apology letter he had sent friends and colleagues following the news reports. In part, the letter reads:

“I want everyone to know how 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 unjustified action in attempting to discipline my dog Bici.”

“As part of accepting responsibility, I have taken a leave of absence from my job. As you know, I am part of a family business and my actions are in no way reflective of the values of my family or colleagues.”

“I will work to become a better person and to learn from this.”

It’s unclear at this time whether charges will be laid; however, The Sun reports Bici has been relocated and is now living with a loving family.

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Sources: DailyMail.com (1), DailyMail.com (2), Heavy.com, The Sun