Animal rights activists have hit out at a retired detective inspector who admitted deliberately breaking the hunting ban.

The Journal revealed yesterday that George Morrison, a former Northumbria Police detective inspector, had twice confessed to former colleagues in a bid to highlight flaws in the law.

Mr Morrison, 51, retired from his Newcastle CID post three months after the Government introduced the Hunting Act.

He said that in June and August last year he set his terrier, Chip, on to a mole and a mouse, to kill them - which is now illegal.

Last night the League Against Cruel Sports said Mr Morrison, who lives in the Tyne Valley, had a "remarkable attitude" for someone who had once worked within the law. League spokesman Barry Hugill said: "His attitude to the law, as someone who once upheld it, is remarkable and shows a total disregard on his part.

"He is one of a number of people who believe they are above the law since this new Act came into force.

"It is up to your readers to judge someone who deliberately sets a dog on to an animal.

"But we believe it is a grotesque act of cruelty.

"This is a man who seems determined to create extra work for the police."

Last night Northumbria Police confirmed that it had referred two cases to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to Mr Morrison, but no further action had been taken.

Chief Insp Simon Packham, of the Northumberland area command, said: "We did refer two cases to the CPS regarding this individual, but no further action was taken.

"We do investigate if we get a report that illegal activities have taken place and will take the appropriate action."

Mr Morrison said last night he stood by his actions and added: "This law was never about animal welfare and if my terrier had killed a rat or a rabbit in the same way, it would have been legal.

"Both the mole and the mouse were killed instantly.

"There was no cruelty."

A CPS spokeswoman said yesterday: "The CPS does not turn a blind eye to any allegations of criminal offences. Each case is considered on its own merits in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and those involving Mr Morrison in June and August 2005 were no exception.

"In both instances our advice to the police was that there was insufficient evidence for a prosecution."