After 37 years of dedicated service to animal welfare, Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn will wear his uniform for the final time today as he embarks on his next challenge – retirement.
Before he joined The Scottish SPCA, Mike worked with animals and was an elephant keeper at Edinburgh Zoo.
Mike started with The Scottish SPCA in May 1987. In his role he initiated and started the special investigations unit, which investigates organised dog fighting, badger baiting and the unscrupulous trade in pets to name a few. He also assisted in implementing animal welfare legislation in Jersey, North and Southern Ireland, Canada and Catalonia.
He even wrote the first Inspectors instruction manual that was approved by Crown Office.
Mike has been responsible for all uniformed staff within the Society, all Parliamentary issues relating to animal welfare, and dealt with all animal welfare related Government consultations, including giving evidence to both Scottish and Westminster Committees.
Mike says it is the right time for him to step aside. In March this year, after decades of campaigning, hard work and advocating for change, the outright ban on all forms of snares in Scotland was introduced as the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill was passed in the Scottish Parliament. A legacy he should be proud of.
The Bill also gives us enhanced powers to support Police Scotland in tackling crime by allowing SSPCA inspectors to search, seize and examine evidence in cases where they’re already on location helping a live animal.
A truly momentous change that will improve the lives of countless animals, and one Mike, has been driving forward for over 30 years!
It’s not just the charity who recognises the achievements of Mike. In 2006 he was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 80th birthday honours lists for services to animal welfare in Scotland.
He is also an Honorary Associate of both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association.
Mike is well-respected throughout the Scottish SPCA and has many stories to share.
One of his strangest cases was that of Jimmy the crocodile who was found in the boot of a car! Of course, Mike had to make the sacrifice of booking a flight to Madrid with a colleague and then drove to Torremolinos in Spain to see Jimmy safely placed in a park there.
Despite retiring, Mike will continue being an independent external animal welfare advisor on the welfare and ethics committee of Scotland's largest scientific animal research company and also a member of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.
Thank you from each and every one of us for all you have done for the animals across Scotland. We wish you all the very best on your retirement.
