FL Dog Groomer Pleads Guilty To 5 Animal Abuse Charges

SARASOTA, FL — The owner of a dog grooming business pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor animal abuse charges on Wednesday, Sarasota police said in a news release.

Diana Stevens, 41, of North Fort Myers was also initially charged with five felony aggravated animal abuse charges when she was arrested in March 2024.

After pleading no contest to the five misdemeanor charges, she received five years’ probation, police said. During this time she can’t own or be in control of a dog, or groom animals.

Stevens must also complete 250 hours of community service, receive mental health counseling and complete an anger management course.

In early 2024, Sarasota detectives were initially investigating a franchise located at 1129 S. Tamiami Trail for financial crimes when they uncovered a pattern of animal abuse by Stevens, the owner of the business, police said.

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

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the store and collected video evidence of animal abuse. The video supports allegations that Stevens beat and tossed animals as she groomed them, police said.

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