‘We’re just really surprised’: Several vehicles’ tires slashed at animal clinic in Davidson County

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — An act of vandalism has left staff at a Davidson County animal shelter stunned after several cars were damaged on their property in broad daylight. 

Employees at the McCormick Animal Clinic said they walked out to the parking lot to a disturbing discovery Thursday, Sept. 5: someone had slashed the tires of at least half a dozen cars. 

“I was shocked mostly and that’s the feeling today too, we’re just really surprised,” Basil Starshine, the receptionist for McCormick Animal Clinic told News 2. “The front right tires had been slashed on all of them. Four of us employees, two clients. We don’t know who would do that. It feels weirdly, so we’re really confused and disheartened.”

Starshine said staff realized what had happened after a client tried to drive out of the parking lot but had a flat tire. That’s when they noticed other cars in the parking lot were also damaged. 

According to staff, something like this has never happened before at the clinic, which is located in the 3200 block of Blackwood Drive. However, a major roadblock lies ahead as they begin to search for answers. 

The clinic only has security cameras inside the facility, so staff are in the process of checking neighboring businesses, including a carwash and hotel, to see if their cameras caught who’s responsible.

Meanwhile, other staff members have taken to social media, specifically Facebook, to see if any residents who were in the area around 4 p.m. saw anything. As of this writing, they have no leads.

John Hood, a longtime customer, told News 2 he took his dog Oliver for a checkup at the clinic on Friday. When asked about the situation, Hood said, “Very weird, it’s incredibly surprising. We’ve had nothing but incredible experiences. The staff is always super helpful and friendly so it’s kind of hard to understand.”

News 2 reached out to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) about the crime. A spokesperson for the department said they got a call about the vandalism and a report was filed Thursday evening. However, they have no leads because of the lack of cameras.

In addition, officials could not confirm to News 2 if there have been any other reports of this type of vandalism in the area or if it’s becoming a trend. 

In the meantime, Starshine said staff are working on a plan to get cameras for the outside of the facility so they don’t fall victim to crime again.

“We’re just trying to help pups and kittens in the area and it’s just very sad to see that it happened at all,” said Starshine. “I’d like to think this is just a one-time thing and we can just move forward from here.”