14/05/2022
Retractable leash awareness:
If you or someone you know uses one of these leashes please tag/send this to them.
Retractable leashes (flexi leashes) are very popular for walking dogs and in the right environment can provide benefits for dogs. These leashes are designed to give dogs the ability to roam and explore, but this leash design can cause problems when in enclosed spaces , situations where you cannot give your dog your full attention or areas that are being shared by other dogwalkers or families.
Injuries to people and pets
The thin rope-like cord of the retractable leash can cause severe burns, deep cuts, entanglement or strangulation and can even cause amputation to limbs and fingers to both humans and dogs. The leash can cause people to trip and break bones. If two dogs on retractable leashes get tangled, there is an even higher risk of injury to the dogs or to the humans attempting to untangle them. Tangled dogs are more fearful and unpredictable, creating an increased risk of bites or cord injuries. The cord can be wrapped around a neck or leg cutting off circulation of blood flow and oxygen.
Dogs have also received terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated trachea, and injuries to the spine.
Dropped leashes & fatal accidents
Some dogs will bolt if they are scared, excited, or trying to chase an animal. The sudden force of a dog pulling can jolt a leash from a hand. The built in locks on a retractable leash tend to break or wear out allowing loss of control. The combination of loss of control and a split second pulling of a dog can allow them to break free and end up on the middle of oncoming traffic or in contact with another dog. Some dogs are strong enough to pull their families off their feet or break the cords and run into traffic resulting in a serious or fatal injury. The handles of retractable leashes are bulky and can be easily pulled out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog.
The law in Gibraltar states that on the streets and in public places, dogs must be on a lead at all times, be kept under proper control and not cause annoyance to any person.
