Hi Liberty,

I've just noticed the Docking Petition thread which Carolyn started has been locked. I'm sorry if this was because of my contribution. I've been lucky enough not to have been embroiled in any arguments in my short time on the board and certainly didn't intend to start one by my post in that thread. I did try to be careful to construct a rational, calm post rather than an emotive one. I just felt it was important that, on an open message forum, both sides of the argument were stated. I read Carolyn's opening post as an assumption that everyone on Champdogs all share the same view about docking and I felt out of kilter, hence my (hopefully reasonable, completely inoffensive) challenge. I don't want to start the whole debate off as I'm not argumentative by nature (honest!). I hope you can read this post in the spirit in which it is meant from a rather apprehensive newbie! I would do a smiley but I don't know how!

Maddy

Carolyn had posted links to both for/against petitions :-)

There are many contentious subjects on which people have very strong feelings. If posters approach these subjects with an open mind, casting aside any long-standing prejudices, do not resort to emotive speech, or add comments which serve no purpose other than to antagonise the situation*. It is perfectly possible to debate such subjects without the discussion becoming overly heated. The issues of 'Docking','Hunting with Dogs' and Countryside matters, have all been debated at length and in a civilized manner at Champdogs in the past. So far we have managed to keep these threads civilized. Emotions on both Docking and Hunting with dogs are very raw at the moment and we will err on the side of caution.

Everyone agrees to abide by the Forum Terms of Service before they post.

*Such comments will not be tolerated.