A retired police detective last night told how he has broken the hunting ban by allowing his terrier to chase and kill animals.

As the second season of hunts since the ban begins, George Morrison revealed he even told his former bosses about two separate incidents in which he has deliberately flouted the controversial law.

The 51-year-old, a police officer for more than 30 years, retired last May, and has continued as secretary for the Border Hunt.

He left his post as a Detective Inspector in Newcastle CID three months after the Government introduced the controversial Hunting Act, which says that a dog cannot be set on certain animals to kill them.

But in a bid to make an ass of the law, Mr Morrison, who lives with his wife Karen in the Tyne Valley in Northumberland, turned himself in on two occasions when he believes he committed a crime.

The first offence happened in June last year when he flushed a mole out from underneath a horse trailer and he called his terrier, Chip, who promptly killed the mole.

Then, in August last year, he flushed a mouse out from behind his washing machine and Chip chased and killed it.

Moles and mice fall into the category of animals which cannot be killed by dogs under the law - although they can be shot by a huntsman.

Last night Mr Morrison said: "On both occasions I contacted the police because I wanted to make a point and show what a ridiculous law this is.

"But both times I was informed that they were not taking the case any further. I knew they wouldn't take me to court because there would have been a media frenzy. I commit an offence almost every day because there are mink where I walk the dogs and if I see one I will set them on to it.

"Putting myself in a police officer's role, this act is a nightmare and something they didn't want to have to enforce."

Mr Morrison will be heading out with the Border Hunt next week, but said the group is operating within the law.

"The hunts are keeping going and we just hope that a new government will be brought in to overturn this law," he added. "This was not about animal welfare. It was about trying to get to the so-called toffs and red jackets, but it is the rural communities it is affecting." Fellow huntsman Frank Houghton Brown, master of the Tynedale Hunt, backed Mr Morrison, saying: "I say good on him for trying to show what a terrible piece of legislation this is.

"I am sure there a lot more people trying to do the same thing.

"We as a hunt are duty bound to stay within the law, but mistakes do sometimes happen."

Richard Dodd, regional director of the Countryside Alliance said: "George is helping to make the point that this law is not about foxes, but is about revenge from the Government about things such as the miners' strikes."

Northumbria Police declined to comment yesterday.

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The trail of confusion

As the second hunting season since the controversial Hunting Act was introduced is due to begin, many are still confused about what is allowed.

Despite protests and campaigns, the Act came into force on February 18 last year.

No more than two dogs can be used to flush out wild animals, such as foxes, into the sight of a waiting gun. The dogs cannot then kill the animal - which must be shot dead.

Stalking and flushing is only allowed to prevent or reduce serious damage which the wild animal would cause to the likes of game birds or wild birds, food for livestock and crops.

A single dog can be used underground in order to protect game birds or wild birds kept for the purpose of shooting, but not to protect lambs.

Hunts across the region have continued, getting round the act by using birds of prey to hunt animals, and by trail hunting - in which hounds follow a scent - to keep them exercised.

Richard Dodd, regional secretary of the Countryside Alliance, said: "Many people are still unsure what is and isn't allowed and the police don't seem to be too concerned with enforcing it.

"The Government has once again introduced something and then just walked away from it.

"We now hope the Conservatives will get into power and do something about this to help rural communities get back to what they were."

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CPS turning a blind eye

George Morrison said he has twice broken the hunting laws and added he will continue to do so if it means the act will be overturned.

After the first incident Mr Morrison realised he had broken the law.

He contacted the police and informed them of what he had done. Although not taken seriously to begin with, an officer did come out to caution and interview him.

But Mr Morrison was later informed the matter would not be taken further.

A few months later he called the police for a second time and was interviewed by Sgt Keith Leach and PC Ray Johnson from Bellingham Police, but once again the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to continue with the case.

Nobody from the CPS was available to comment.