Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/abusive-ceo-charged/

When an LA-based CEO, Jeffrey Previte, was caught abusing a puppy on camera, the reaction was swift. The 46-year-old man was forced to apologize, enroll in anger management classes, relinquish the dog, and even lost his job at the family company where he’d worked as CEO.

According to TMZ, prosecutors have also decided to charge Previte with one misdemeanor count of animal neglect for his role in this disturbing incident. We’re obviously glad to see this puppy get justice, but also wonder if his abuser is getting off too easy with a $500 fine and up to 6 months in jail.

After all, Previte was caught choking, dragging, and slapping the crying 4-month old puppy on camera, and he only apologized when it became clear it was in his best interests to do so. “There’s nothing illegal about what I did,” the CEO defiantly wrote in a statement immediately after the incident, which was overheard by a lobby concierge who eventually shared the disturbing camera surveillance footage, which quickly went viral.

But once it became clear police were investigating the incident, Previte quickly changed his tune. According to TMZ, the disgraced executive finally admitted to losing his temper and acknowledged taking “unreasonable and unjustifiable action,” although his remorse seems convenient at best. We just hope a $500 fine and a few months in jail is really enough to make this disgraced former executive learn his lesson.

What do you think? Does Jeffrey Previte’s punishment fit the crime? If not, what is an appropriate penalty for pet owners who engage in abusive behavior?

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog