Festival Reps Defend Dogs at Maritime

Though several complaints about too many dogs at the Greenport Maritime Festival were, at least one organizer of the event said she did not see a problem with canines this past weekend.

“I saw a lot of dogs on leashes and none of them were out of control,” said festival co-coordinator Diane Dunbar. “Store owners were putting out water for them … I did see a few bark at each other in passing, but that’s just like the dog run at Central Park.”

But Patch commenter Joyce Grigonis said she still feels like dogs should not be allowed at all at the festival — too many dogs last year were the reason why she did not go this year, she wrote.

“Besides peeing and pooping all over, and no, not every owner is being responsible and cleaning up, there is a HUGE liability for for dog bites,” she said. “It's also very cruel to be walking your dog(s) on the hot pavement in the crowds where the dogs can be stepped on, which may lead to the dog nipping and biting.”

Greenport Mayor David Nyce could not be reached for comment regarding possible liability issues for the village. Gillian Wood Pultz, executive director of the, had a tent on Main Street near and said that she too saw no problems with dogs at this year’s festival, and that all the dogs at the booth from the Town shelter were adopted.

“Obviously, we encourage dogs at our booth, and I don’t think the event was overrun,” she said. “I saw very happy dogs with mindful owners, and I saw lots of water out there. Our water bowls were always full.”

“We’ve always been a dog friendly town,” added Dunbar. “As long as they’re on leashes.”