A Facebook group created for posting pictures of random dogs is being accused of tyranny across the Internet.

You may have never heard of it, but "Dogspotting" is one of the Internet's most popular sports. With nearly 30,000 members on the main Facebook group and thousands more on separate, tributary groups and websites, Dogspotting has quickly become very serious business. With the institution of a new, strict set of rules, it's also becoming very controversial. Kind of.

See also: 25 Dogs That Are Totally Stoned Out of Their Minds Right Now

Dogspotting is one of the most competitive groups on facebook don't let cute dog pictures fool you — tru spooky mom 2k14 (@yogurtfairy) October 7, 2014

For the uninformed, we've created the following explainer, which will break down the various rules and techniques, and the semi-sarcastic, deeply complicated history of Dogspotting.

The Rules

Dogspotting is a simple sport. To play, you must spot (i.e., see) an unknown dog (no pets, neighbors' pets or otherwise known dogs) and report that spot to the group. Photographs are entirely optional, so as not to discriminate against those without cameras.

Image: Screenshot Facebook, Dogspotting

Based on a series of rules, your spot is then given points. If the dog spots you spotting it, all points go to the dog. If the dog is acting violently, points are subtracted from your total. It's simple Dogspotting, guys — get on board.

If you think Dogspotting sounds like a pleasant and irreverent way to pass the time, think again. There is a war raging within Dogspotting — a war that is shaking the very foundation of the sport and replacing the friendly sharing of cute dog pics with bitterness and vitriol.

Many Dogspotters believe that points should be attributed freely, in an unorganized and creative fashion. Herein lies the root of the controversy. The world of Dogspotting has become polarized between two very different spotting methods: the "Boruffian Orthodox" and the "Free Point System."

The Free Point System vs. Boruffian Orthodox

In 2006, John Savoia established the sport of Dogspotting and created the Free Point System, essentially a free-for-all, creativity-driven form of spotting in which points can be awarded for a limitless number of things. For example, a dog who is squinting could receive a "+4 skeptical dog" bonus. A dog at the beach could receive a "+1 summer dog" bonus.

This technique gives purpose to the Facebook group, as the loose method allows members to attribute humorous and creative points to spotted dogs.

"The original vision — if you can call it that — for Dogspotting was the gamification of seeing dogs," Savoia told Mashable in an email. "The cute factor was never considered, especially since online cute culture didn't really exist."

At the root of the Free Point System is the simple desire to share pictures of dogs and have a bit of fun competition.

Enter Josh Boruff.

I am now the most hated man in all of dogspotting. — Josh (@Livestock) October 8, 2014

A writer at Electronic Arts and Something Awful, Boruff entered the sport of Dogspotting in 2008, after reading a Something Awful forum post by Savoia.

"[Boruff] was present when I first started talking about Dogspotting online," says Savoia. "He and most of our current admin team go back years, albeit many of those years we were't really thinking about Dogspotting."

Over time, Boruff claims, he became dissatisfied by the "happy-go-lucky" spotting popularized by Savoia, and, along with David Thorpe, established a stricter set of guidelines, known as orthodox. From 2006 to Oct. 5, 2014, the Free Point System trumped Boruff's orthodox style, and spotters were allowed to assign points where and when they saw fit.

After a recent influx of new users following an explosion of popularity in Australia — a phenomenon Savoia has no explanation for — the Facebook group adopted Boruff's orthodox method on Oct. 6. The new rules are harsh, and the admins will ban any user who resists the change.

DOGSPOTTING HAS CONVERTED TO ORTHODOX. THE DAY HAS FINALLY COME. RESIST AND BE BANNED. — David Thorpe (@Arr) October 8, 2014

So why the sudden change? Savoia has two answers.

"One is what you've read in the group, that we held a vote and orthodoxy won," he says. "The other answer is that it's all been carefully planned and executed and all of the admin crew is in on it, but I don't think that could be true."

Whatever the truth is, the new rules were set in place and made public.

Under these new rules, Dogspotting scores can be more easily quantified. The picture at the top of this article, for example, would be awarded 48 points.

Image: Mashable Composite Flickr, Kristine Paulus

While the orthodox method may allow for accurate and organized tabulation, it removes the creativity found in the Free Point System. Because a spotter can now accurately determine their own score, the Facebook group, if left under Boruffian rule, will become merely a way of keeping track of points and standings.

The most controversial rule within the Boruffian orthodox method is the subtraction of points for small dogs. This anti-small dogs stance infuriates loyal spotters, who have voiced their discontent on social media.

The introduction of Boruffian Orthodox rules into the #dogspotting community is a travesty in my opinion — Hilary Bowman-Smart (@hilaryjfb) October 8, 2014

ugh new rules on the Dogspotting page say no small dogs allowed so i just turned notifications off — MC ☭ (@theOFFICIALmilf) October 8, 2014

@carameldata a small dog is a dog and we should love all dogs hhhhhhhhhhh dogspotting has gotten so bad — Kristy ｡◕‿◕｡ (@flimzzee) October 8, 2014

Image: Screenshot, Tumblr

"The new small dogs clause should be tucked into the jorts pocket of Mr. Boruff, and he and the rest of his new set of slides can be tossed into a slow moving river," says Savoia.

On the Dogspotting Facebook group, small dogs are being posted en masse — a protest against the tyranny of Boruff. Savoia is pushing to restore the Free Points System and thereby restore anarchy to the sport.

"Revolution is coming, my friend, revolution is coming indeed," he says.

Come join my #dogspotting #firechat and we can plan the downfall of the orthodoxy. Death to Boruff! — johnasavoia (@johnasavoia) October 8, 2014

Many fed-up users have branched out, joining the popular "Cool Dog Group," and creating new communities like "New Wave Dogspotting."

Today, the battle between Free Points and Boruffian Orthodox rages on. Can the thousand screaming voices of small-dog enthusiasts be silenced, or will creativity and freedom win the day? Savoia is certain his group will prevail, but doesn't want to get too detailed about the sport's future.

"Dogspotting will continue to be about seeing a dog and getting points for it. What else lies in store, only a fool would attempt to guess," he tells me. "Honestly, though, I'd love to go on Ellen."