The owner of a Sarasota dog grooming business was arrested Friday after an investigation found he mistreated animals at his store, including punching and throwing them, Sarasota Police officials said.
Detectives are investigating Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming Sarasota franchise owner Diana Stevens, 41, for financial crimes. Their investigation shifted after three former employees said Stevens, who is from North Fort Myers, abused animals out of frustration at the store’s 1129 S. Tamiami Trail location, court records said.
Store employees told detectives they witnessed Stevens regularly abuse cats and dogs, and they had to step in and help him finish grooming on several occasions. Customers also discovered their pets were behaving abnormally after pickup, employees told detectives. Video evidence of animal abuse collected by detectives supports the allegations, police officials said.
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Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming is a North American chain with over 200 stores. Detectives contacted their corporate office and spoke with an employee who said they had received several complaints about Stevens abusing animals.
Herald-Tribune reporters contacted the corporate office, and they confirmed that they immediately terminated Stevens’ franchise agreement after they were contacted by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department. The 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,” said Jackie Garcia, Woof Gang media representative. “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 owners -pet owners, we are committed to 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, above all, the pets and have -pet owner involved.”
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Surveillance footage from August 2023 showed him abusing dogs and cats on six different days. A former employee told detectives that Stevens would hit dogs and cats while he was grooming them. They also said that Stevens bought several French Bulldog puppies to sell, which he kept in a small kennel in unsanitary conditions. Two of the puppies died after being neglected, court records said.
While Stevens was bathing the 80-pound Golden Doodle, he became angry with the dog, which was struggling, another former employee said. Stevens said, “this dog is a piece of [expletive].” He then punched the dog several times in the ribs and stomach, court records said.
There were several occasions when Stevens was reported to have cats on the wall while fixing them. At one point, he grabbed the cat by its arms and slammed it against a table, court records said.
Stevens faces five felony counts of aggravated animal abuse and five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.
