NATIONAL BAN ON RETRACTABLE DOG LEASH

Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech has warned Queensland dog owners that a retractable dog leash has been banned following a serious eye injury to a young child.

“A 10 year old girl in Queensland was blinded in one eye when walking her dog using a “Woofaz Pet Products” retractable dog leash,” Mrs Keech said.

“The tragic incident occurred when the lead was fully extended and the dog continued to pull the lead. The metal clasp attaching the leash to the dog’s collar broke and rebounded, hitting the young child in the face and eye.

“The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued an Unsafe Goods Notice which bans the supply of the product nationally. The ban was put in place after ACCC force tested 10 of the products, with all failing under a comparatively weak force. Even a medium-sized dog could exert enough force to break the leash.

“The Product Safety Unit at the Office of Fair Trading is checking to see if any of the offending dog leashes are still for sale in Queensland. We are also working with the ACCC on a product safety recall.

“The dog leash is marked “Woofaz Pet Products” and comes in various colours. The face of the circular casing has the words “Automatic Dog Leash” on both sides and a picture of a dog in a circle in the centre of the casing.

“The problem has only been found with the 3 metre retractable dog leash. This unsafe dog leash has been on sale in Queensland at various outlets and on the Internet for between $1 and $5.

“I urge all dog owners who use a retractable dog leash to check if it is the dangerous 3 metre “Woofaz Pet Products” leash and if it is, stop using it and destroy it immediately.”

For more information on product safety call the Product Safety Hotline on (07) 3305 9614 or go to www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.

NOTE: Digital photographs of the banned dog leash are available from Sarah Seckold on (07) 3119 0062.

Media Contact: David Smith 3225 1005 / Sarah Seckold (OFT) 3119 0062