A North Fort Myers woman is facing 10 counts of animal abuse/cruelty after being accused of mistreating animals at work. Diana Stevens, 41, was the owner of a Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming franchise location in Sarasota.
According to the Sarasota Police Department, Stevens called them to report a financial crime last summer. When detectives began interviewing employees for that investigation, they were tipped off to something much more violent.
“They said we don’t know anything about that but we reached out to corporate and told them about some animal abuse we witnessed. Do you know anything about that?” Cynthia McLaughlin said, SPD public information officer. “She seems to get frustrated if the animal isn’t cooperating, whether it’s not allowing her to clip their nails or if they have an accident and she needs to bathe them again. That’s kind of what triggers this violent outburst… there’s several instances where other employees intervene.”
Multiple witnesses could recall multiple occasions where Stevens went off on animals. One time, she allegedly picked a dog up by its tail and forcefully pulled it. Another example given, references Stevens screaming and cursing at a dog. The witness said she even punched the pet multiple times with a closed fist.
“The animals can’t speak for themselves, so anyone who would even think of yelling or being remotely physical with an animal, that is certainly not acceptable,” Debi Nettlow said.
Nettlow stopped by the business today hoping to drop her dog off for an appointment. The business was closed.
Police secured video surveillance of 17 days inside the Sarasota business. In that timeframe alone, they found five victims.
“The abuse that was caught on camera is horrific. It leaves you feeling sick,” McLaughlin said. “These animals are defenseless. They can’t even report it.”
Witnesses told police the violence went on much longer than the short time frame provided in the video.
Police believe there may be other victims out there. If you believe your pet may have been abused by Stevens, contact Sarasota Detective Jessica Sullivan at Jessica.Sullivan@sarasotaFL.gov
Woof Gang corporate shared the following statement:
“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 Police 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.”
At Ovadia Law Group, we’re deeply committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of animals. Animal abuse and cruelty are heartbreaking realities that should never go unaddressed. Our compassionate team is here to provide support and legal representation for victims of animal abuse and their advocates. Whether it’s seeking justice for mistreated pets, holding negligent owners accountable, or pursuing legislative action to strengthen animal protection laws, we’re dedicated to making a difference. If you’ve witnessed or experienced animal abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation. Together, we can stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves and work towards a future where all animals are treated with the care and respect, they deserve. Call Ovadia Law Group today at 1-800-674-9396 to learn how we can support you in the fight against animal cruelty.
Source: nbc-2
