Hello, I have to get news out about a retractable leash

[ForDakota]

Hi everyone
I have seen a few threads on the retractable leashes and wanted to share our story.
Our local news channel WIXT 3 in Syracuse is covering our story about my girls puppy that survived a 200 foot fall off a State park cliff in the Upper gorge trail. Retractable Flexi compact 2 leash failure as well as insufficient chain link fencing contributed to the dogs fall. We were walking the puppy at Fillmore Glen State Park on Saturday when we took the upper gorge trail to head back to our car. The puppy spotted a chipmunk that ran across the trail. The retractable lease that was rated for a 77 pound dog snapped at the nylon and the dog fell over the edge 200 feet then bounced over the lower trail another 10 feet then into the river gorge. Amazingly this miracle puppy is surviving his fall and is at Cornell Animal Hospital in Ithaca NY, awaiting an MRI and possible surgery on his spine. Miraculously it appears the puppy has no other signs of injury. There were 16 emergency vehicles on scene and it took almost 2 hours to get the dog out of the gorge. I'm so thankful my 9 year old daughters were not holding the leash or trying to grab the dogs collar.
The dog had surgery on Monday totaling well over $7500.00 and is doing well. Everyone says it amazing he had no other broken bones or legs.
He already had a sad story behind him. he was rescued from an Irving TX kill shelter by Hubbards Hounds and a large crew of others from other states. The rest of the story of his rescue from TX is also amazing in itself.

Just wanted to share in hopes we can bring even more attention to the retractable leashes. The leash was used rarely and only 11 months old.

 

[Renee750il]

Those things scare me, especially when I see someone walking a dog that's pulling like crazy.

 

[release the hounds]

I have walked and ran and biked dozens of 55lb and up to 85 lb dogs on those retractables and never once had a problem.

I did however have a cotten long line on my dog and threw a frisbee for her and it wrapped around my ankle. Well she hit the end, did a back flip, I was pulled about 3 feet into the air and landed on my back, and the clasp at the end snapped in half, yes the metal clasp, she went and got the frisbee and brought it back ready for more.

I on the other hand had an inch wide swath of burnt and torn skin on my ankle that was effin killing me. I'm such a wimp, but i found a way to throw it again.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Yah I am not a fan of those. I am sure in the proper hands they an be ok, but I am sure most of the people using them have no idea what they are doing.

My friend Brandon has a huge welt on his hand from a retractable leasg when he tried to pull Emme and his GSD apart when they were trying to start a fight.

I gave him crap after about using a leash like that. Especially on a DR dog.

 

[milos_mommy]

Nothing irks me more than someone clipping a retractable leash to their dog's halti, choke, or prong collar (which I see regularly).

I known a dog who got hit by a car and killed because the retractable leash wouldn't lock. I'm sure, like everything, they have a time and place (like letting a dog run about in an open field, or something), but for walking with any kind of dangers or trying to control your dog, they are not reliable or safe.

 

[Doberluv]

I've always hated those things...such a skinny little cord and then there's the human factor in their typical use. A good, 6' leather or strong nylon leash is more reliable. What a scary story that was! It's nice of the op to think of and warn others. So glad the pup is going to be okay.

 

[cloudcandy]

Oh god!What a horror story,good thing that poor pup is doing well though!I use a retractable,I guess it's ok for Coco since she weighs hardly anything,however I do worry about it failing and her being able to run off into the road so atm I make sure its on short UNLESS where in a park and sitting down etc.However after reading this I think I'll just carry two leads with me,use a normal one for walks and only the flexi for supervised enclosed areas.?

 

[petlover84]

I think that when you are choosing a leash for your dog make sure that its made sturdy material. In that way you can avoid this type of accidents. Always be familiar with the type of tools that you are using with your dog.

 

[heartdogs]

I've had clients report to me that they were injured when someone else's leash malfunctioned, or the handler couldn't reel the dog in fast enough, and the cord cut them in the leg. At another facility where I worked, a client there got 15 stitches in her leg from a "burn" accident. When I see people with flexi leads, I take my dogs out of the area instantly. I also do not allow my clients to use them on our property. Dangerous things that should go away.

 

[Wakh]

I'm very glad to hear your dog is alright, that must have been horrifying.

A trainer I know had a client who lost her miniature dog due to a flexi leash accident. She dropped the leash by accident when it was fully extended and the hard plastic base struck the dog in the temple as it retracted quickly, killing it instantly.

I prefer the use of long lines if I'm letting my dog play in fields for this very reason.

 

[Red.Apricot]

I've had clients report to me that they were injured when someone else's leash malfunctioned, or the handler couldn't reel the dog in fast enough, and the cord cut them in the leg. At another facility where I worked, a client there got 15 stitches in her leg from a "burn" accident. When I see people with flexi leads, I take my dogs out of the area instantly. I also do not allow my clients to use them on our property. Dangerous things that should go away.

This happened to me--the cord went through the skin on my ankle completely. It went in deeper than the thickness of the cord. I didn't get stitches, but I probably should have. I'll have a scar for the rest of my life.

 

[DobeLove]

I hate how you have little to no control when they are at the end of the leash. They can be 20 ft away, then run and pull the other direction to see a dog, then it's impossible to get them reeled back in.