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The Sarasota Police Department has arrested a North Fort Myers woman, accused of animal cruelty and abuse.
Police said Diana Stevens is the owner of Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming Sarasota at 1129 S. Tamiami Trail. Detectives interviewed former employees about a financial crimes investigation from August 2023 when they discovered allegations of animal abuse.
A witness told police that Stevens would hit and hit the dogs and cats. Stevens allegedly teased the cats, flipped them and tied them up while grooming them, which the witness said was dangerous because their necks could break.
That witness also told police that Stevens would grab the dogs by their scruffs and be aggressive toward them. At one point, the witness said the dog’s owners complained that their animals behaved differently when they got home.
Another former employee said Stevens and other witnesses bought French Bulldog puppies to sell. The witness said they were kept in unsanitary conditions and left alone in the shop overnight. A puppy died and the witness said Stevens put the dog in a box and kept it in the store until he “did something with it.”
Two other former employees told police about several different incidents of abuse including hitting the dog, cursing at it, shaking the cat and slamming another on the table.
Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming is based in Orlando and an employee told detectives they had received several complaints from other Stevens employees that animals were being abused.
Fox 4 contacted the company, asking why they didn’t take immediate action once the allegations were received. They issued a statement:
The allegations against Ms. Stevens, a former franchisee who independently owns and operates a location in Sarasota, violates with every tenant our Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming mission, as well as our strict operating procedures.
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of any kind. We want to make it clear that Woof Gang does not condone, condone, or in any way endorse such behavior. While we cannot comment on the details of the police investigation, we can confirm that we have contacted the Sarasota Sheriff’s Department and taken immediate action to terminate the franchise agreement of Ms. Stevens. This location is no longer authorized to operate as a Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming location and is currently in the process of being unbranded.
We emphasize that all Woof Gang locations are independently owned and operated. This incident does not reflect on our brand, our franchise owners, or the high standards of love and care for pets that Woof Gang represents at all other locations.
As fellow pet owners, we focus on the spirit and bond we share with our pets and always make health and safety a top priority. Our thoughts are with the community and, most importantly, the pets and pet owners involved.
Woof Gang Bakery & Repair
Sarasota Police arrested Stevens on March 8 for 10 counts of animal cruelty.
Police believe there are more victims, and are asking pet owners to call Sarasota Police to report abuse.
When asked if Sarasota Police coordinated any type of search of the woman’s North Fort Myers home with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a spokesman said no.
According to Lee County Jail records, Stevens has been arrested for burglary, grand theft, auto theft, burglary and battery in the past 10 years.
