HE'S sitting firmly on the fence. PC John Snellin has been appointed hunt liaison officer for Dorset Police - and is responsible for negotiating with huntsmen and protestors.

And he's the first to admit that the new anti-hunting legislation is vague and open to interpretation.

The ban, which came into force in February this year but which is just being realised as the new season of hunting gets underway, prevents hunting mammals with dogs, but there are exemptions.

Up to two dogs can be used to flush a fox from a hole towards waiting guns in order for it to be killed humanely and any number of dogs can be used to flush a mammal from a hole for an awaiting bird of prey.

Across the country, Dorset included, some hunts have tried to get around the new legislation by carrying a bird of prey with them. But that's a practice PC Snellin, a keen falconer, wants to put a stop to.

He explained: "It would have to be a bird of prey capable of taking a fox, such as a golden eagle - a falcon or kestrel won't do.

"I can't see any reasonable falconer in their right mind allowing an eagle, which are worth around £5,000, to be let loose on a fox with a pack of hounds behind."

Reports are already coming in to Dorset Police alleging hunts acting outside the law and video footage has been handed in to police stations. PC Snellin added: "Yes, it may look like a hunt with them all out in their traditional pinks with a pack of hounds, but generally they are following a drag hunt."

Speaking of his new appointment, PC Snellin, who is also the police wildlife officer, said: "I have to remain impartial - I can see both points of view. I'm not anti-hunting. It's a shame when someone's right is removed. People often wrongly see hunting as purely upper classes - in fact it involves working country people.

"On the other hand there are animal welfare issues at stake."