SIR - I wrote to you on Saturday, February 4, with reference to the letter from Simon Clarke regarding the issue of tail docking.

Again, today, I notice there is another letter in support of the practice of docking written by someone by the name of Clare Rowson.

I say again, in reply to both of these letters, could someone please explain why certain breeds of dogs, such as labradors, retrievers, border collies (sheep dogs), and I am sure many other working breeds, do not have their tails docked?

Dogs are born with tails that are there for a purpose and should not, under any circumstances, be removed.

It is about time the Kennel Club took note of this, especially as docking of show dogs is a purely cosmetic practice.

It is the most barbaric custom, in my opinion, and I would be most interested to hear the comments of both Simon Clarke and Clare Rowson on this subject.

M Billingham

Worcester