Popular Auckland dog grooming business destroyed by vandals

Vandals broke in through the roof and destroyed fittings and equipment at Buddies Dog Salon in Glen Innes. Photo / Facebook

The owners of a popular Auckland dog grooming salon are reeling after their shop was attacked by vandals who stole expensive equipment and smashed through walls and ceilings.

The mother and daughter team at Buddies Dog Salon in Glen Innes arrived at work on Sunday to find their beloved salon destroyed, with specialist grooming tools stolen and fittings demolished.

It is understood the offenders accessed the shop through the roof and used dog-grooming scissors to cut through gib and rip apart furnishings.

A neighbouring Starbucks coffee shop and a Shosha vape store were also hit.

Staff at Buddies worked all morning contacting customers and postponing appointments.

Police have taken fingerprints from the scene and the staff have been able to clear up the mess.

The building was insured but the owners did not have contents insurance.

“We have managed to clean up most of the rubbish this afternoon, with the help of our lovely neighbours,” Buddies Dog Salon posted to Facebook.

“We’re currently assessing what needs to be replaced and what can be fixed as well as trying to reorganise everything back to its place.”

The owners did not want to comment further other than to say they were humbled by help and support from neighbouring businesses cleaning up and kind words from customers.

Gary Holmes of the Glen Innes Business Association was saddened by the incident.

The business was in a block of three with a vape store next door and a Starbucks on the other side also hit.

“It’s really disappointing this has happened, we don’t know who has done this or why,” he said.

Walls were smashed through and light fittings hang from the broken ceiling at Buddies Dog salon in Glen Innes after the random attack. Photo / Facebook

“What is great to see is that businesses and the local community have rallied around Buddies and are supporting them through the Givealittle page so they can reopen.”

Loyal customer Peter Ho li Goh had set up a Givealittle page to help the pair replace equipment so they could reopen.

“We have all been shocked and disgusted by the vandalism and burglary of Buddies Dog Salon,” Ho li Goh said.

Expensive dog grooming scissors were used to cut through gib and destroy furnishings at Buddies Dog Salon in Glen Innes. Photo / Facebook

More than $3000 had been donated with messages of support for the business which also had 5-star reviews on Facebook and Google.

Of the more than 50 contributions to the Givealittle page, most were on behalf of canine customers such as Milo the Labradoodle and Potato, Toby and Leo who sent kind words and “licks”.

Police confirmed the burglary and asked members of the public for any information that might assist.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police via the 105 phone service, quoting job number P059345967.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

This article has been updated to reflect fresh information that two neighbouring stores were also burgled.

Kirsty Wynn is an Auckland-based journalist with more than 20 years experience in New Zealand newsrooms. She has covered everything from crime and social issues to the property market and consumer affairs.