Dog Groomer Accused Of Abusing Pets At Sarasota Business: Police

SARASOTA, FL — A North Fort Myers woman was arrested on animal cruelty charges for her treatment of pets that occurred in her pet grooming business in Sarasota, police said.

Sarasota police detectives were initially investigating Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming at 1129 S. Tamiami Trail for financial crimes when they uncovered a pattern of animal abuse by the owner of the business, Diana Stevens, 41, according to a news release.

Store employees told detectives they saw Stevens abuse the animals as she groomed them, and on several instances, they had to intervene. Customers also reported their pets behaved abnormally after being picked up from the business.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the store and collected video evidence of animal abuse that support allegations that Stevens beat, berated, and tossed animals as she groomed them.

One former employee told investigators Stevens “would smack and hit dogs (and) she was rough with cats and would hit them,” according to the probable cause affidavit for her arrest. “She would jerk the cats around and flip them over and she would tether the cats while she groomed them, which is dangerous … (and) could cause the cat’s neck to break.”

Another employee told police they saw Stevens grooming a golden doodle that was being “difficult” and when the dog didn’t comply, she punched it several times in the ribs and abdomen with a closed fist.

That employee also saw Stevens throw a Persian-ragdoll cat into the wall when she became frustrated with it and slam the head of a black cat into the grooming table.

Stevens and another employee also bought French bulldog puppies to sell and kept them at the shop. The dogs were kept in a small crate and lived in their own feces and urine, the affidavit said. One of the puppies died when left unattended over the weekend.

Stevens was arrested March 8 on five charges of aggravated animal abuse (felony) and five charges of animal cruelty (misdemeanor).

Anyone with information on this case is asked to email Detective Sullivan at jessica.sullivan@sarasotaFL.gov or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.