Roodepoort bids farewell to Inspector Mike Allen

Inspector Mike Allen (70) is not leaving the SPCA movement but following his passion for equines with the National Council of SPCAs, stated Roodepoort SPCA’s manager Mandi Cattanach.

She continued by explaining that Allen played a big role in Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA’s determination to bring justice to abused animals.

“During the nine years, Inspector Allen was part of our team he pursued and registered over 50 animal cruelty criminal dockets. These despicable abusers will face the full wrath of the Law in our courts,” promised Cattanach,

“The staff at the Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA will miss Mike but we wish him the best of luck in his next adventure in protecting our country’s animals.”

Allen explained his change to the National SPCA’s equine team can almost be explained as him completing a circle of events.

Allen grew up around racehorses and has been involved with horses since he was a 13-year-old boy.

Fifty-three years ago Allen started his training at the South African Police Services College at the ripe age of 17.

“Three years later I joined the K9 Unit and 22 years later I helped establish the Johannesburg Mounted Unit in 1996,” recalled Allen.

He mentions he was the commander for 10 years and went into early retirement four years later in 2010 at the age of 57.

Allen then joined the JMPD as a specialised equestrian consultant and trained their horses for duty during the Soccer World Cup that year.

“After that I joined the NSPCA as an equine inspector in 2013,” he remarked. A year later Allen joined the Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA, and due to his experience with law enforcement, he got involved with the pit bull terrier cases, as well as ones involving dog fights.

“I never thought that I would leave the Roodepoort SPCA until I was approached to rejoin the NSPCA as an equine inspector,” concluded Allen, who is already full steam ahead helping the equines in South Africa, one case at a time.