In the early 1990s, recently retired Scottish SPCA’s Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn and his team broke up the biggest organised dog fight the UK had ever seen at a derelict farm in Kennoway, Fife. “There were only a handful of Scottish people at the event and the rest came from all parts of the UK,” he tells me. “It was one of the largest operations we have ever been involved in and we had around 100 police officers assisting on the day, which kicked off at seven on a Sunday morning.
” He says the operation resulted in 31 arrests and 31 convictions. “It’s not a nice story but a successful one and a great example of joint working with the police.” The dog fight bust is only one of the many operations that Mike has been involved with during his time with the .
The Fife-based Chief Superintendent stood down in September, turning 65 and realising the moment had come to step away. Such is Flynn’s honest, open nature. You won’t hear him philosophising or spinning grand tales about himself.
Yet behind the calm, humble exterior is a hard-working and passionate man who dedicated 37 years of his life to the Scottish SPCA. As Chief Superintendent, Mike was responsible for all uniformed Scottish SPCA officers. He consulted with the government on animal welfare policies and gave evidence when required in front of both Scottish and Westminster government committees.
Over his almost 40-year tenure with the Scottish SPCA, he has had a massive impact, writing the first ins.