By Patrick Mahaney, VMD
While visiting England, I enthusiastically read a Daily Telegraph article titled, “Dog owners banned from using long leads.” Evidently, my perspective on the retractable lead, one of my least favorite pet products, is shared by the United Kingdom government.
The Tameside (in Greater Manchester) city council enacted an ordinance to reduce the public health nuisance caused by irresponsible owners using excessively long leads. Public spaces are repeatedly being fouled by dog owners not picking up their dogs’ bowel movements. Evidently, requiring dogs to be on a shorter lead increases the likelihood that owners will clean up after their pets.
Besides the odor and other obvious unpleasantries carried by dog bowel movements, improperly disposed waste can potentially spread parasites, bacteria, and viruses to other canine community members and wildlife.
The rule bans dogs from being walked on leads longer than 6 feet 5 inches in local parks. Other areas, such as school playing fields and cemeteries, have banned dogs altogether. Tameside police are being trained on how to best enforce the new rule.
The ordinance is being met with disdain by various members of the community. Dylan Sharpe, the campaign director of Big Brother Watch, stated, “This proposal is completely, barking mad – only a local authority would even think of fining people £1,000 ($1,633 dollars) because of the length of their dog lead. This is just the latest in a steady stream of potty policies that try to criminalize and fine innocent dog walkers.”
The Kennel Club, Britain’s largest dog welfare organization, declared the ordinance “completely arbitrary” and “unnecessary.”
The Tameside council has defended its policy, as the intent is to make public spaces more enjoyable for all citizens. Other local governments in Greater Manchester are also considering similar pet waste reducing rules.
As a veterinary medical professional, I commend Tameside and all other United Kingdom governments enacting such ordinances.
The West Hollywood government has led the way in California for enacting local pet health care laws. Although I don’t agree, West Hollywood law makes it illegal for veterinarians to perform an onychectomy (declaw) procedure on cats that do not have a medical necessity for the procedure. My views are more aligned with West Hollywood banning the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores.
Perhaps Tameside’s rule will inspire West Hollywood government to similarly ban the use of retractable leashes. There was an attempt to create such an ordinance in the past, yet Los Angeles county already has a similar statute as follows:
10.32.010 Dogs — Running at large prohibited
No person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall cause, permit or allow the same to be or to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place, or upon any private property or premises other than those of the person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of such dog, in the unincorporated area of the county of Los Angeles, unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody or control of a competent person.
A component of the problem is the “competent person,” as a responsible dog owner certainly can keep a dog under control while on a retractable lead at a length of less than 6 feet. Unfortunately, there are many irresponsible owners using the retractable leads in a less than responsible way, which creates problems for the public at large.
These leads are typically composed of a strong, thin rope, which can cause severe damage to body tissue. My clients and I have suffered personal injury as a result of irresponsible use of retractable leads by dog owners neglecting to employ adequate control over their crazy canines. One of my clients lost a finger and I experienced a second-degree burn across my arm after our respective limbs became ensnared.
Additional animal safety concerns include a higher possibility a dog will incur injury while being walked on a retractable lead. As compared to a flat fabric or chain-link leash (both non-retractable), the retractable lead permits reduced control of a dog’s mobility and increases the likelihood of trauma. While on a retractable lead, a canine patient of mine walked some distance ahead of his owner on a sidewalk, was abruptly startled, then fell between two cars and fractured a leg.
To promote the physical and mental health of canine and human inhabitants, I hope West Hollywood (and other cities and states) will eventually apply a similar rule. Perhaps public spaces would contain less dog waste and fewer people and pets would end up injured or ill.
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Dr. Patrick Mahaney
Patrick Mahaney has loved connecting to animals and people all of his life, therefore, he became a veterinarian to help pets and their owners. Patrick provides conventional and complementary veterinary medical care in veterinary hospitals and clients’ homes. Patrick enjoys the opportunity to utilize internet, print, radio, and television outlets to educate clients on how they can achieve the best quality of life for their pets.
Have you been injured by a retractable lead? Or do you like using one? Tell us your thoughts in the Comments section.
Category : News
Hilary Lane
Jul 30, 2010
I hate those leashes, and ask that my clients not use them. My fingers and legs have been burned by those thin ropes by people who are trying to get their dogs back. I even got injured using one on my dog before I knew not to. Why do the dogs need to be out so far in front of us anyway?
Also, from a training point of view, since the rope lead is so thin, it often looks like the dog isn’t on a lead. For a reactive dog nearby, it is scary to see a loose dog walking either towards them or what they perceive as a loose dog wondering around. It’s hard for the person on the other end of the leash, too. And as you said, the dog can run into traffic or bikes with that lead length.
Too, the lead handles are heavy and many people can’t control their dog while holding them. I see puppies dragging them when they’ve gotten away from their guardian.
Anyway, my 2 cents. Hope people reconsider using them!
Hilary Lane
Fang Shui Canines
Myranya
Aug 31, 2010
I ride my bicycle to the train station in the morning, and quite a few people like to walk their dogs along the bike path. It’s clearly marked as a BIKE path, but okay, it’s plenty wide, so I don’t mind. I DO mind when they’re using these long thin black leashes and let their dogs walk on the other side of the pavement. On winter mornings when it’s still dark out. Eek!
Kirsten
Sep 02, 2010
Yes! I was trying to get my dog away from two dogs a man was walking using those leashes. I got caught up and the backs of both my legs got abraded by the leashes. The back of my right leg really got it and it got infected.
What a pain. Myself, I never saw a need for one. I use a regular leash I picked up for free at my vet’s office plus a coupler at the end.