DO NOT BUY MARTHA STEWART LEASH! read on.....

[Winston :)]

I bought Winston a very cute leash from Martha Stewart's new line of Pet Supplies. Tuesday night on our walk Winston picked up a piece of trash. I reached down to grab it from his mouth and placed my hand high on the leash. The LEASH OPENED with the slightest pressure. The clasp of the leash moves on both sides and opens in the middle, not like most leash's that just open on one side when you push down the lever. Winston started bolting back to our home, which was on the other side of VERY BUSY street. My fiance tackled Winston about four feet from the road. Winston let out the biggest cry/scream/bark/horror that I have ever heard. At the time I also thought he pooped himself, but later found out that dogs can excreate from their anal glands when they are exteremly scared or frightened. I took him to the emergency animal hospital and after four hourshe was lucky enough to  come home with some bruising and pain meds, however, I can only imagine what COULD HAVE BEEN.

 

This product is NOT safe! I called PetSmart's main office this morning to file a complaint. Let EVERY dog owner you know not to even thing about purchasing this product. The more I thought about it, the more of it a reality it became that Winston or any other dog could have pulled hard enough for the clasp to break.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If you can, I would dig the things you bought out of the trash and return them to the store - receipt or not. That way you can voice your displeasure in person also. Even if they decline a refund or store credit, they will personally know about your dissatisfaction and be stuck with some stinky stuff! And others who are standing in line will hear it.

[Karen P]

It was a few years ago. But definitely left a bad impression with me!

[Leigh & Allie]

I walked by the Martha Stewart pet gear the other day. I kept walking.....not a fan. So glad you posted so no one else will purchase this leash. Glad everyone is fine.

[Anthony & Lori Jacobs]

She was just on TV today trying to sell her products and had her little pack of dogs with her.Very SCARY

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks for letting us know. Could you take a picture of the clasp? I think I know the kind you mean and I think they are generally not secure. I'm glad that Winston will be fine.

[Camilla and Darwin]

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks. I can see that the lever could easily be pressed and the ring on the collar would naturally be right at the opening. At least with the usual snap bolts, the ring is likely to be at the same spot, but the opening is at the side. Also, it's harder to accidentally open that kind of closure to begin with. I wish I knew what this sort of closure is called so that we could warn people against any leash with this kind of gizmo.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I believe it's called a lobster snap . I don't think it's a good closure for any dog restraint.

[Missi]

Who would put this clasp on a dog leash?!?! These are the kinds of clasps that are on quick-release cross ties for horses so that the do release if they get spooked. They are made to be a easy release for the horse's safety so they don't flip! Good for that purpose, very DUMB for a dog leash.

[Winston :)]

Thank you all for your well wishes and support! Great idea about the local news channel; I wouldn't have thought of that. We are still just so relieved it turned out how it did. I'll de watching to see if there is a product recall; it is scary to know that products like these are out there.

On a lighter note, on the Martha Stewart website it says that Martha and her dogs personally tested each product....not very well aparently.

[shelly]

Or NOT !- Hmmm... that could be considered "fraud" couldn't it? : According to Merrriam-Webster dictionary, , the definition for fraud is - FRAUD : an act of deceiving or misrepresenting - I think you can receive jail time for that - sorry - bad 'pun'

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

LOL LOL Hilarious Shelly and oh so true! Evidently you can't change a leopards spots :-)