What is a strong and sturdy metal clasp of retractable leash?

The recall of Slydog retractable leash due to poor quality of metal clasp caused great discussion. It is very important to get a strong and sturdy metal clasp of retractable leash, Pugga brings some points on what is a strong and sturdy metal clasp of retractable leash!

choose a retractable leash or lead with a sturdy, heavy clasp

1) Never use one that’s rated lower than the weight of your dog or that has no size or weight rating at all. Refer to our former article on TUV test, the max loading is 3 times of the weight of purposed pet.

2) A good metal clasp has strong structure as well as strong metal - Zinc alloy. The holding ring end and the hook both must be strong enough. Due to cast moulds, a carefully designed mould guaranteed quality metal clasp. Nevertheless, the Zinc alloy must be pure to assure quality material also.

3) Be aware of the fact that most metal clasp purposed for bags use, some of them not designed specially for pets, bags just requires equivalent loading as its possible contents weight, not as strong as 75kgs for a medium size of dog.

Possible faults of the metal clasp of retractable dog leads or leashes:

Most of such metal clasp is designed for bags, which do not require strict loading, as you may know, most luggage is just about 15kgs. If you check on some bag clasp you will find it out.

1) the holding end of the metal clasp
2) the hook body
3) the linkage

Be aware of the damage it can do if it should ever break and fly back at your face. So use it with utmost care, especially if your dog is jerking at the other end.

An easy way to test the metal clasp of retractable dog leads or leashes:

Test the dog leads to a force of 500 N, which is equivalent to an average-size (20 kg) dog pulling two-and-a-half times its weight, a force that smaller, weaker people would have problems resisting. Mostly, hang yourself by hand on the handler with brake locked, pending on some place, it is much easier to find a sturdy metal clasp of retractable dog leads or leashes.

Another way is just throwing the retractable leash onto ground at height of yourself, those get no damage you could give more trust. Anyway, some stores imports retractable dog leads or leashes from outside American but required very low prices to compete with those qualified ones.

Our advice on the metal clasp of retractable dog leads or leashes

Dog responds to another dog’s barking with a pull on the lead, it is a very typical reaction. But what happened next is in no expectation. The metal clasp of the retractable dog lead snapped in half and, with its jagged edge, went flying back straight into eye, causing major damage.

We have a leash law to keep dogs on leash and using a long line is difficult (hard to reel it in, the extra slack tends to get caught around pets’ legs, hard to carry, etc) so we sometimes use the retractable leashes. Dogs were already well trained to walk on loose leash fits much better to retractable one.

Why SlyDog Retractable Leashes Recalled?

Pugga opinions on the issue:

As a supplier of retractable leash, we have much to say on what's a safe retractable leash and will do better to provide a safe retractable leash for pet lovers.

The matel clasp is always a very important parts for this kind of dog leashes even it not a retractable one. Molds to manufacture the said clasp has to been very carefully prepared and the clasp has to be tested each lot or batch to make sure, that we adopted proper parts.

Another reason on this accident is the cost of zinc alloy rose too much in last two years and factory reduced the necessary weight of the alloy, it caused the faults and hurts.

Pugga find out this retractable leash very familiar with a China factory and is very willing to offer our suggestions on how to improve the quality.

The following text is quoted originally by this website.

Courtesy of Consumer Product Safety Commission

Worldwise Inc., of San Rafael, Calif., has issued a voluntary recall of about 223,000 SlyDog retractable dog leashes after receiving five reports of injuries, including facial cuts, a broken tooth, a displaced eye lens and a bruised collar bone.

Those who have a SlyDog retractable leash with a metal clasp should stop using the product immediately. The company said the metal clasp connecting the leash to a dog’s collar can bend or break while in use, causing the leash to recoil back unexpectedly.

The leash has a handle composed of a blue plastic case with a black plastic grip. It is made of a black woven strap and measures approximately one-half inch wide. The SlyDog retractable leash with a plastic clasp is not included in this recall.

The leashes were sold through Dollar General Stores nationwide from September 2007 through August 2008 for about $5.

Consumers should return the leash to Worldwise Inc. for a full refund, including shipping costs. For more information, contact Worldwise at 888-296-3907 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website.