Google searches may display merchandise, but the reality for Woof Gang’s Grooming and Bakery in Sarasota is one of closure, as confirmed by the corporation’s withdrawal of Diana Stevens’ franchise ownership last week.
Concerns have surged among pet owners after the Sarasota Police Department disclosed that 60 individuals have come forward, apprehensive that their beloved animals may have fallen victim to Diana Stevens.
Expressing her distress, Patricia Jones shared, “Nauseated. Very sick. Mentally sickening,” reflecting the sentiments of many who have sought answers at the 41-year-old Diana Stevens’ grooming establishment.
Jones, worried about her dog Jazzy, echoes the sentiments of numerous others. Stevens faces charges including six counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty and four counts of Cruelty to Animals, following video evidence that purportedly captured her mistreatment of cats and dogs under her care.
Since her arrest, authorities have been inundated with over five dozen additional complaints against Stevens, leading to an extensive investigation to validate these claims, as highlighted by Cynthia McLaughlin of the Sarasota Police Department.
Efforts to corroborate allegations involve meticulous scrutiny of surveillance footage obtained during the arrest, as McLaughlin emphasized the pursuit of any potential instances of further abuse.
In response, Stevens’ attorney, speaking via phone to FOX 13, criticized what he perceives as a rushed legal process. He asserted ongoing investigations into employees who reported Stevens’ actions, suggesting ulterior motives due to alleged theft from her business.
While Stevens’ attorney awaits access to the surveillance footage, Heidi Minihkeim, owner of The New York Groomer in Sarasota, with 38 years of grooming experience, emphasizes the importance of due diligence when selecting a groomer.
Minihkeim underscores the significance of seeking recommendations from neighbors, friends, and veterinarians, advocating for potential clients to visit grooming facilities and ask pertinent questions without reservation.
She stresses that grooming transcends mere aesthetics, emphasizing the holistic well-being of pets, encompassing their mental and physical welfare alongside grooming procedures.
