A few months ago, I heard somewhere, that a dog on an unlocked extending lead, had run into the road and been killed.
I have used extending leads for dogs of mine, but always kept them locked in the short position except when on grass areas – well away from roads.
I have twice since then, spoken to people I sometimes see while out on my walks, who use the extending leads in the unlocked position, and warned them of the dangers involved.
They didn’t take a blind bit of notice – probably thought I was being nosey!!!!
Today, while walking along a road with my dogs, a woman on the opposite side of the road to me, approached with a dog on an extending lead. The dog ran into the road, and reached the middle before it came to the end of it’s lead.
Fortunately, and lucky for her and her dog, there wasn’t any traffic approaching. But I dread to think of what would have happened if a car or bus had been coming.