SARASOTA, Fla. — A pet groomer was arrested on Friday after multiple employees and customers at her Sarasota business claimed she abused the animals.
The Sarasota Police Department said witnesses told them Diana Stevens, 41, beat, berated and tossed animals as she groomed them at Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming at 1129 South Tamiami Trail. The business was originally being investigated for financial crimes when detectives uncovered the abuse.
Employees claimed they had to intervene in several instances, and customers said their pets behaved abnormally after they picked them up. Detectives obtained a search warrant and video evidence, which supported the allegations.
Stevens was arrested on March 8 and charged with five counts of aggravated animal abuse and five counts of animal cruelty.
Woof Gang Bakery released a statement saying:
The allegations against Ms. Stevens, a former franchisee who independently owned and operated one location in Sarasota, violate every tenant of our mission at Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, as well as our stringent 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, tolerate, or in any way endorse such behavior. While we can not comment on the specifics of the police investigation, we can confirm that we were contacted by the Sarasota Sheriff’s Department and took immediate action to terminate Ms. Stevens’ franchise agreement. 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 is not reflective of our brand, our franchise owners, or the high standards of love and care for pets that Woof Gang represents across all other locations.
As fellow pet owners, we are devoted to the spirit and bond we share with our pets and have always made health and safety our top priority. Our thoughts are with the community and, most importantly, the pets and pet owners involved.
Anyone with information on this case should email Detective Sullivan at jessica.sullivan@sarasotaFL.gov or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS.
