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.

[shelly]

LOL - No way, Denise! LOL

[Ellen]

Thanks for posting this. I just sent an email to the Martha Stewart company customer service department asking the company to act responsibly and promptly investigate whether this is a design defect (which it appears to be based on the pictures provided) or isolated product defect and take appropriate action, including withdrawing/recalling the leashes and instructing retailers to post store notices about the problem, as well as including a prominent statement on the Martha Stewart website. There is strength in numbers, and I think that it is important for us to issue our concerns and complaints to the company as well as to retailers like PetSmart about the potential risk this product poses.

Thanks again for alerting everybody about this and sharing your harrowing experience.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You're right and we all should write!

[Rachel Tober]

Wow! I was surprised to read this! I bought a leash here in Arkansas that is black leather and looks to have the same kind of clasp. I actually like this design as Ranger and I go on frequent hikes, and the claw clasp is easier for me to get her on and off leash quickly. I am not sure the brand because it has long rubbed off- but if you like the design there are other brands that could perform better. I am going to see if petco has one so I can investigate. Btw, Winston is adorable.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I just did. Maybe enough emails will make them take a look and pull them off the shelves.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I was at PetSmart last night and saw the leash you are talking about. That catch is so flimsy. I have leashes with that same kind of catch but it not easy to open at all! I told the staff to tell the manager but I am sure that when I go back this week they will still be displayed.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

well - I just googled to write my email to MS company and what do I see???

http://aolsearcht5.search.aol.com/aol/search?query=martha+stewart+l...

[Rachel Tober]

Went to a Petsmart to see what everyone is posting about and not sure I understand the problem. The leashes I saw were all the same, and none seemed to be broken or loose. What happened? Did the metal break off? I asked the manager Julie and she said she did not know of any issues. I did not find any other leashes like this. I ended up getting one by Hamilton that seems very strong and waterproof. I also bought a floating toy from Martha Stewart that Ranger seems to enjoy.I mostly shop at a local boutique in Rogers,AR which I tend to like best, but can't say that I saw anything wrong with what Martha Stewart is making. By the way, has anyone seen the Cesar Milan products? That guy scares me a little bit.

[Winston :)]

UPDATE!

On Friday I was contacted by phone by a representative from PetSmart who read my review AND was forwarded my complaint from the Martha Stewart Company. She was very nice and listened to my story of what had happened to Winston. She then assured me that the products go through numerous tests; she said the leases were geared towards an older demographic because they were easy to open (hence the problem!) I told her that I bought he leash based on aesthetics alone; I actually had been planing on getting Winston the leather leash once he was full grown...not anymore.

She also subtly hinted that if I had not touched the lease on the metal part it wouldn't have opened. I told her that if I touched the metal part on any other leash it would not have relased under slight pressure. We both concluded that the leash was not meant for my type of dog who pulls the leash, picks up stuff from the ground, and leaps (don't all dogs do this? Also, she is saying that this leash isn't meant for Doodle Owners). She offered to give me a refund for the leash, but I told her I wasn't interested. She asked if she could send Winston a Doggie Bed from PetSmart, which I accepted ( I know, I know, I couldn't resist a present for Winston!)

The next day I also recieved an e-mail from her again stating the safety of the product and expressing concern for Winston. Again, a nice gesture. She also told me that they were working on new designs that hold up to 1,000 lbs of pulling. This gave me the impression that I was not the only person to question the safety aspect of the leash. She even offered to send me pictures.

Here is the kicker.....On Wed. I wrote a negative review of the product on PetSmart.com. That review is no where to be found on the website. Because my review of the product ( which is verbatim of my original posting without the words "do not buy") is not positive, it does not get published? What is the point of giving people the oppertunity to review products!?!? This is infuriating to me.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What the heck kind of dog is the leash meant for? The only kind of dog that leash would be safe for is a stuffed dog, or a dog who doesn't need a leash.
My poodle weighed 19 lbs and when she pulled, there was quite a bit of force. This leash would not have been safe for her, either.
That really stinks about the review, too. I agree, what's the point. If they just want good copy for advertising purposes, they need to hire someone to write it. Very disappointing.

[shelly]

OOOOO! THIS would push me to REALLY get the word out there now... perhaps the suggestion from someone to go to a local newspaper... what about some of the pet magazines... that's just NOT right!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would let PetSmart know about not seeing you review. Then I'd inform them that you will publicize their "editing" of reviews if they cannot give you a good explanation. Assure them that you have already started to put this out on the web i.e. DK. What a fraud!