Sarasota Police A North Fort Myers woman has been arrested on several animal cruelty charges that occurred at her pet grooming business in Sarasota. Detectives were initially investigating the franchise located at 1129 S. Tamiami Trail for financial crimes when they discovered a pattern of animal abuse by the business owner, Diana Stevens, 41.
Store employees told detectives that not only did they witness Stevens abuse the animals while he was grooming them, but on several occasions, they had to intervene. Customers also reported that their pets behaved abnormally after being picked up from the business. Sarasota Police detectives obtained a search warrant for the store and collected video evidence of animal abuse. The video appears to support allegations that Stevens beat, angered, and threw animals while he was grooming them.
Sarasota Police arrested Stevens on Friday, March 8, 2024, on five counts of aggravated animal abuse (felony) and five counts of animal cruelty (misdemeanor).
