OK! I'v been reading this thread right along, Debating whether or not to add my 2 cents. And here goes. The Mystic Seaport Festival has now been brought up by 2 contributors, and I will be the turd. Those of you who know me are aware that I'v been involved with the Mystic festival in various capacities for several years now. Whereas this may not be the opinion of the Management per se, I would venture to say that 'dog noise' is probably the #2 or 3 major annual nuisance at the festival. I don't recall anyone ever being bit, but the incidence Barry described earlier is certainly not a unique one, and on that and other occasions it is pure chance that no one was physically injured. Take also into consideration we have horses on the grounds at Mystic Seaport. Do you have any Idea what goes through a horses mind when it sees, hears, or smells a dog? The horse usually has no idea whether the dog is leashed or not, but the horse is usually very uncomfortable. Trust me, more than one "dog lover" has been heard saying "That's the horse driver's problem. My dog is well behaved.", meanwhile Fido is barking away at Mister Ed. Steve Shaw's comments do hold a degree of truth. Children do play on the village green; people do sit there and listen to music, and your smearing the turd with a baggy does not mean I won't find remnants on my shoes or jeans. Back to my first point, 'Dog Noise'. Dogs are social animals, they are not solitary beings in the wild, and when they see or smell another dog or animal the dog's tendency is to announce his excitement vocally. I don't know or care if they're saying "Hi, Hi, Hi" or "@#$% You, @#$% You, @#$% You", but the fact remains that they do tend to vocalize and don't seem to want to be taught to whisper. This is totally inconsiderate to performers and other patrons. I once made a comment from the main stage at Mystic to the effect of, "If you can't teach your dog to behave in public, leave it home. If my children behaved like your dog, I'd leave them at home." The response to which was a huge Cheer, (unfortunately the largest ovation I'v ever received professionally), and 2 people left. Some of you say restricted areas. Why would you go to a festival and not listen to music? If you are listening to music you're probably distracting someone.