An animal groomer in Florida allegedly subjected dogs and cats to horrific treatment while the pets were in her care, police said.
According to a Sarasota Police Department affidavit, which cites witness testimony, Diana Stevens, 41, allegedly lost her cool with several people's precious pets at a Woof Gang Bakery and Dog Grooming franchise in Sarasota, Florida.
Authorities, citing surveillance footage, said Stevens was heard calling a dog a “piece of sh*t.”
“Stevens was bathing a golden doodle and the dog was being difficult,” authorities wrote in the affidavit. “Stevens became very upset and punched him several times with closed fists in the ribs and abdomen.”
Authorities said that while hitting the innocent dog, she yelled, “Fuck you.”
VIDEO: MAN THROWS FIRE CANS AT STRANGER IN NYC SUBWAY STATION
Diana Stevens was arrested on five counts of aggravated animal abuse and five counts of animal cruelty. (Sarasota Police Department)
In another case, the owner of the hair salon was seen pulling a dog by the neck.
DETROIT MAN REPORTEDLY USED OBITUARIES TO STEAL FROM FAMILIES DURING FUNERALS
“Stevens finally places the rope around the dog's neck, tightens it completely and then lifts the dog with the rope,” police wrote about the footage from August 16, 2023. “The dog is hanging by its neck in the air, Hit the dog twice and the dog spins in the air.”
He allegedly shook the cats and turned them over, and also tied them up.
“Witness #1 stated that tying a cat could cause it to break its neck,” authorities said. “Stevens would also grab the dogs by the scruff of the neck out of frustration, and was aggressive with them while she was grooming them. Witness #1 stated that some of the clients complained that their dogs acted differently when they brought them home.”
Stevens also purchased French bulldog puppies and kept them in unsanitary conditions.
One of the puppies died after being left unsupervised overnight in a “sink/bathtub,” police said.
Diana Stevens was a franchise owner of Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming in Sarasota, Florida.
Investigators with the Sarasota Police Department told FOX 13 it was all captured on a surveillance camera.
“Pressing play, rewind, pause and explaining in such detail the violence that was occurring in this business is difficult for anyone,” said Cynthia McLaughlin with the Sarasota Police Department.
McLaughlin said the five recorded incidents were captured in just a 17-day period.
“There's no way to know how long this has been going on. The five incidents we found on the surveillance videos were just a 17-day period last year,” McLaughlin said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Detectives, using a search warrant, obtained video from the store showing the abuse. They said the video appears to support allegations that Stevens hit, berated and threw the animals while grooming them.
Stevens was arrested on five counts of aggravated animal abuse and five counts of animal cruelty.
Fox News has reached out to Woof Gang Bakery's corporate offices.
