Myakka City dog trainer avoids jail time after deputies say 2 dogs died
A Myakka City dog trainer accused of neglect and abuse that led to the deaths of dogs will avoid jail time, according to court records.
A judge sentenced 82-year-old Linda Werlein to 36 months of probation after she pleaded no contest to three felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty and practicing veterinary medicine without a license, along with a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty, according to court records.
The sentence comes after at least two dogs died under Werlein’s watch, investigators say. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged the business owner in October 2023.
Judge Matt Whyte withheld adjudication on all four charges, meaning Werlein was not formally convicted. As part of her sentence, she must complete 50 hours of community service or pay a buyout fee, submit a DNA sample to state authorities and is prohibited from having custody or control of animals owned by other people, according to court records.
Court records show Werlein’s plea came on Feb. 4, weeks before a trial that was scheduled to begin on March 3.
Werlein owned Euro Pros K-9 Center, a Myakka City training and boarding facility that advertised “professional canine services with a distinct European flavor,” according to its website.
‘There’s no closure,’ victims say
Investigators said two dogs died after stays at Werlein’s training facility, including an 18-month-old Doberman Pinscher named Stella. For Stella’s owners, the sentencing offered little sense of justice.
“This should have never happened. There’s no closure,” Paul Evans said.
Paul and Christine Evans dropped off Stella and their 3-year-old goldendoodle, Polly, at Euro Pros K-9 Center in June 2023 before leaving for a five-day cruise. Days later, they say they received a call that Stella was unresponsive. She was placed on life support at the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch but died hours later.
A necropsy found Stella suffered from pneumonia, sepsis and a healed fractured rib. Polly was also evaluated and diagnosed with severe dehydration, according to an arrest report.
Paul Evans said he confronted Werlein shortly after the dog’s death to retrieve their belongings. Instead of apologizing, he said Werlein asked how they planned to handle the veterinary bill.
“She said, ‘Sorry about your loss. How do you want to handle the bill?’” he said. “I just took the dog’s stuff and left.”
The Evans family said they had previously paid Werlein about $6,000 for dog training services. Christine Evans said she noticed behavioral changes and weight loss in the dogs after earlier stays at Euro Pros.
“Every time we got them back, they didn’t seem like their regular selves,” Christine Evans previously told the Bradenton Herald. “Something was not right, almost like they were traumatized.”
Deputies find ‘pattern of neglect’
Deputies arrested Werlein in October 2023 following a years-long investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradenton Herald previously reported. Detectives said they received at least five complaints dating back to 2020 that revealed a “concerning trend” and a “pattern of neglect” at Euro Pros.
In addition to Stella’s death, investigators said a 3-year-old Rottweiler named Bishop also died after training at the facility. Bishop had stayed for nearly a month before a trainer notified his owners that he was sick. He was later found to be severely dehydrated, unresponsive and was euthanized that same day, according to an arrest report.
Former employees told deputies that Werlein treated dogs with antibiotics meant for fish and medications intended for livestock without veterinary supervision. Natasha Wilhelm, a former director of training at Euro Pros, previously told the Bradenton Herald that Werlein created a fake certificate listing her as a professional dog trainer, even though she had no experience when she was hired.
Wilhelm and others described harsh conditions, saying dogs were fed once per day to promote obedience and denied water overnight to prevent accidents. Employees said they were pressured to cover up injuries and feared losing their jobs or housing if they challenged Werlein’s practices.
Troubled training facility rebrands
Wilhelm said the facility has since rebranded under the name Suncoast K9 Academy.
The Facebook page for Euro Pros K-9 Center has been inactive since August 2023. Public business records show that a business called Suncoast K9 Academy now operates at the same Myakka City address, while public records reviewed by the Bradenton Herald show that Werlein still owns the land at 35571 State Road 70 E., but is not listed as an owner of the business.
Suncoast K9 Academy did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
Wilhelm previously told the Bradenton Herald that the business had a history of rebranding following accusations of animal mistreatment. Public records show that the company went by Von Asgard K-9 Center before filing for Euro Pros K-9 Center in 2022.
Christine Evans said she has since heard from other pet owners and former employees who shared similar experiences of alleged animal abuse and neglect.
“We just want to stop other dogs from getting hurt,” Christine Evans said.
Christine Evans said while Werlein may never face prison, she believes the guilt will follow her.
“She’ll never escape her conscience,” Christine Evans said.
