Frankie The Law Dog

Why Retractable Dog Leashes May Not Be Your Best Choice

Retractable Dog Leashes Are Not the Best Choice for Training or Safety

The mere fact that retractable dog leashes have earned the love of personal injury attorneys and the ire of dog trainers should tell you something.

What is a Retractable Dog Leash?

A retractable dog leash is a leash that is supposed to allow the handler to be able to adjust the distance the dog is permitted to wander away.  The leash itself consists of either a very thin or a webbed cord that is commonly about 16 feet (5 m) or 30 feet (9 m) in length.  The handle is usually plastic and contains a mechanism that allows the dog handler to stop the extension of the leash by pressing a button on the handle.  A clip on the leash attaches to the dog’s collar.

A Classic, Sturdy Six-foot Dog Leash is Best for Dog and Handler

What is Wrong with Retractable Dog Leashes?

Retractable leashes have two big strikes against them:

• They are not effective for training one’s dog.
• They pose serious safety issues for humans and dogs.

Retractable Dog Leashes are Ineffective Dog Training Tools

The very characteristic that makes retractable dog leashes seem so attractive to dog owners is what renders them ineffective as a dog training tool.  The flexible mechanism allows the dog to wander away from the handler up to the length of the leash fully extended.  This encourages the dog to stop paying attention to her handler and to pursue whatever interests her.

Theoretically, the handler need only push the button to stop the leash; however, when you’ve already lost the dog’s attention and focus, it may be difficult to “reel” her back in, particularly if she has scented something much more interesting to her than your commands.  The flexibility of the leash gives the dog the erroneous impression that she is the master of her own destiny on the walk.  If you want to effectively train the dog to focus on and follow your verbal and physical commands, allowing her this sort of freedom on the leash is not the way to do it.

Many retractable dog leashes have a locking feature that stops the leash at a certain length.  However, if the leash has gotten damp or is starting to wear out, the locking mechanism may be difficult to engage.

Retractable Dog Leashes Pose Safety Hazards for Dogs and Their Handlers

Consumer Reports notes that retractable leashes have caused cuts, burns and even amputations when the cord came in contact with skin or became wrapped around part of the owner or the dog.  According to the report:

In 2007 there were 16,564 hospital-treated injuries associated with leashes, according to Consumer Union’s analysis of statistics collected by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of those, about 10.5 percent involved children 10 and younger; 23.5 percent involved injuries to the finger. The CPSC’s data does not parse the leashes into types but it’s likely that the amputations were caused by retractable leashes.

Other injuries have been reported as well.  For example, in September 2008, the Slydog brand retractable leash was recalled due to complaints that the metal clip would break and fly off.  A Texas teen has sued the manufacturer after the retractable leash she was using snapped back and punctured her eye.

Safety Tips for Using a Retractable Dog Leash

This Puppy is Better Off Without a Retractable Leash

If you must use a retractable dog leash, keep the following safety tips in mind:

• A retractable leash should be used, if at all, only on well-trained dogs that respond immediately to voice commands.
• Make sure to use the appropriate size leash for your dog’s weight.
• Check the locking mechanism prior to each use of the leash to ensure that it will engage instantly if needed.
• Do not allow children to use the retractable leash.
• Read and heed all manufacturer warnings for the leash.

Florida Homicide Charges for Deadly Dog Attacks

Most dog owners keep dogs for companionship and try to be responsible about making sure their dogs are safe for other people to be around.  Under Florida dog bite law, if one’s dog bites or attacks someone, the dog owner may face civil liability and the dog may be designated as a “dangerous dog” for which the dog owner must make special arrangements.

Florida Dog Owners Could Face Homicide Charges for Deadly Dog Attacks

Furthermore, there is a range of criminal liability the dog owner may face under certain circumstances if the dog injures someone.  In the most egregious cases, when the very worst happens and the dog kills someone, the dog owner may be charged with homicide.

The Robert Freeman Case

The Robert Freeman case is one of the more disturbing examples of a dog owner showing more than just a reckless disregard for the behavior of his dogs.

Robert Freeman lived in a mobile home in Citra, Florida, with six pit bull mix dogs.  His home was in a state of disrepair, with no electricity or water, and a hole in the front door where the door knob should have been.  He would tie off the door with electrical cord, but it still had a lot of “give” when pushed.  Neighbors would see Freeman’s dogs outside every day, and the dogs did not stay confined to Freeman’s property.

In January 2003, Charlie Sumpter was walking near Freeman’s property when the dogs charged from under Freeman’s mobile home and attacked, biting him numerous times.  Freeman came outside and pulled the dogs off Sumpter.  He became angry when Sumpter said he was going to seek medical attention for the bites.

In April 2003, Charlie Dennison was attacked on the street by three of Freeman’s dogs.  He was bitten on the calves, but managed to fight the dogs off.  Freeman came outside and said he thought the dogs were inside the house.

In September 2003, Jamal Williams was walking his dachshund on the street in front of Freeman’s home when six of Freeman’s dogs appeared and attacked the dachshund.  Williams tried to beat the dogs off with a stick, but they continued attacking.  Ultimately, the dogs stopped attacking and Williams took the dachshund to a veterinarian.  The next day, Freeman was angry because Williams’ grandmother reported the attack to animal control authorities.

In another incident in September 2003, Lorenzo Colding was attacked by six of Freeman’s dogs as he walked down the street near Freeman’s home.  All six dogs bit Colding.  Freeman came outside and called off the dogs.

In October 2003, Andrew Williams was walking near Freeman’s home when Freeman’s dogs came from Freeman’s yard and attacked him.  The dogs bit Williams several times before Freeman came outside and called them off.

In November 2003, Willy Clinton was walking on the street when Freeman’s dogs ran through Freeman’s front door and surrounded Clinton in a pack, threatening to attack.  Clinton was bitten on the thigh.  After 15 or 20 minutes, Freeman came outside and began petting and kissing his dogs.  Clinton admonished Freeman for “rewarding” the dogs for biting people and warned him that the dogs would eventually kill someone.

Just weeks later, on December 12, 2003, Freeman made a call to 911 stating he had just returned home from work to find his neighbor, Alice Broom, “almost dead” with a hole in her neck and the dogs still biting her.  Freeman told the 911 operator to call the “dog people” and admitted he should have gotten rid of the dogs long ago.

When paramedics arrived, they found Ms. Broom lying unconscious on the ground in the fetal position.  Half her clothes were strewn around the yard.  She had suffered massive bite wounds and was pronounced dead at the hospital.  The medical examiner found that the locations of some of her injuries were consistent with an attempt to curl up and try to defend herself against the attacks.  A forensic odontologist concluded that all six of Freeman’s dogs had attacked Ms. Broom.

Freeman was charged with, and ultimately convicted of, manslaughter by culpable negligence under Florida Statute § 782.07.

Manslaughter Charge for a Deadly Dog Attack

Freeman argued that he should have been charged with a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida’s Dangerous Dog Act instead of being charged under the homicide statute.  The appeals court disagreed.  The Dangerous Dog Act requires knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities and a reckless disregard for those propensities under the circumstances.

Manslaughter by culpable negligence, by contrast, requires more than knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities.  The manslaughter statute requires knowledge that the dog owner’s negligent act or omission is “likely to cause death or great bodily injury.”

If the dog owner knew that his dog had approached a person in a menacing fashion, the owner might have knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities, but not necessarily knowledge that his failure to keep the dog contained would be likely to cause death or great bodily injury, as is required for manslaughter.

In Robert Freeman’s case, the court concluded:

There was ample evidence that Freeman knew his dogs had escaped from his trailer and attacked passersby on several prior occasions. Yet on the day of Ms. Broom’s death, Freeman went to work, leaving his dogs free to escape and attack passersby, as they had done many times in the recent past.

Robert Freeman is currently serving more than 12 years in Florida State Prison.

Although this case is extreme, it should serve as a warning that Florida dog owners who know their dogs might kill, but who do not take steps to safeguard others, could face homicide charges if the dogs do kill someone.

Additional Resources:  How to Hire an Attorney, Florida’s Wrongful Death Act

Disclaimer:  This article is in no way intended as legal advice.  For help with specific legal issues surrounding Florida’s dog bite law, or the dog bite laws in your jurisdiction, please contact a dog bite attorney or criminal defense attorney in your local area.

Florida Dog Bite Law

If Florida animal control authority receives a report of a dog that may be dangerous, the authority will conduct an investigation into whether the dog should be officially classified as a “dangerous dog” under Florida’s dog bite laws.  If the dog is classified as dangerous, it must be kept under certain restrictions.

How Does a Dog Get Classified as Dangerous Under Florida Dog Bite Law?

A dog may be classified as dangerous if it:

• Has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property.
• Has severely injured or killed a domestic animal on more than one occasion while off the owner’s property.
• Has been used primarily or in part for dog fighting or is trained for dog fighting.
• Without being provoked, the dog has chased or approached a person on public property in a “menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack.”

Dogs Declared "Dangerous" will be Placed Under Restrictions

Will My Dog Be Taken Away from Me if it Bites Someone?

The animal control authority will investigate any reports that a dog may be dangerous.  The dog may be taken away from the owner and impounded if it bites or attacks someone.  If the dog is not impounded by the authority, the owner must keep the dog in a securely fenced or enclosed area pending the outcome of the investigation.  During the investigation, the dog’s owner may not relocate or transfer the ownership of the dog.

The dog owner will have a right to appeal any initial or final determination classifying the dog as dangerous.

What Must the Dog Owner Do About the Dangerous Dog?

Under Florida dog bite law, once the dog is designated as dangerous, it must be registered as such with the authority.  Additionally, the dog must be kept within a secure enclosure on which are posted clearly visible warning signs at all entry points that warn both adults and children that there is a dangerous dog on the property.  The dog must also be given a permanent identification, such as a tattoo or an electronic implant, identifying the dog as a certified dangerous dog.

If a dog has been designated as dangerous, it will be unlawful for the dog’s owner to permit the dog to be outside the enclosure unless the dog is muzzled and restrained by a “substantial chain or leash” and under the control of a competent person over 18 years of age.

Dogs that have been classified as dangerous may not be used for hunting.

Consequences of Violating the Restrictions Placed on Dangerous Dogs

Any dog owner who violates any of the restrictions placed on dangerous dogs may be charged with a noncriminal infraction and fined up to $500.  Moreover, if the dog bites someone, depending on the circumstances, the owner may be charged with a crime.  In the worst cases, the dog owner may face a homicide charge if someone dies from a dog attack.  Furthermore, in the event of a civil lawsuit, such a violation will only strengthen the victim’s case against the dog owner.

What if Someone was Trying to Hurt Me or My Dog?

What if the Dog is Protecting the Owner?

A dog will not be declared “dangerous” under the law if the person who is bitten by the dog was trespassing on the owner’s property or was tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog or the dog’s owner or family member.  Further, no dog will be declared dangerous if the dog was protecting someone in the dog’s immediate vicinity from an unjustified attack or assault.

Source:  Chapter 767, Florida Statutes (2009).

Disclaimer:  This article is in no way intended as legal advice.  For help with specific legal issues surrounding Florida’s dog bite law, or the dog bite laws in your jurisdiction, please contact a dog bite attorney in your local area.

Under Florida dog bite law, a dog owner whose dog bites someone may be sued in civil court by the dog bite victim.  The dog owner may also face criminal charges under Florida law, up to and including homicide in the worst cases.  Under some circumstances, the dog may have to be destroyed.

What Happens Under Florida Law When a Dog Bites Someone?

The Florida Dangerous Dog Act

Florida’s Dangerous Dog Act provides that if a dog that has not been declared “dangerous” by the animal control authority attacks and causes severe injury or death to a human, the dog will be confiscated by the authority and impounded or quarantined.  If the dog’s owner had prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities, but demonstrated reckless disregard under the circumstances, the owner may be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days imprisonment.

If a dog that has already been classified as a dangerous dog attacks or bites a person or a domestic animal without provocation, the dog’s owner faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge.  A first-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in prison.

If a dog that has previously been classified as a dangerous dog attacks and causes severe injury or death to a human, the owner faces a third-degree felony charge.  Such a charge carries a potential sentence of five years in prison.

In Extreme Cases, the Dog’s Owner May be Charged with Manslaughter

If a dog kills a human and if the owner has demonstrated a high level of disregard for human life, the State of Florida may charge the dog’s owner with manslaughter by culpable negligence, regardless of whether or not the dog was ever classified a dangerous dog under the law.  Manslaughter by culpable negligence is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Will a Dangerous Dog be Euthanized?

When a dog attacks or bites someone in Florida, the dog will be immediately confiscated by the animal control authorities and will either be placed in quarantine, if appropriate, or impounded.  The dog’s owner will be provided with written notification of the dog’s quarantine or impounding and the dog will be held for 10 business days to give the owner time to file a written appeal.  If the owner does not appeal, the dog will be humanely destroyed.

If the owner files an appeal, the dog may not be destroyed while the appeal is pending.  The dog’s owner will be responsible for all boarding costs and other fees necessary to keep the dog during the appeal procedure.  If the owner loses the appeal, the dog may be destroyed.

What If My Dog Bit Someone While Protecting Me?

What if the Dog is Protecting the Owner?

If the dog attacks or bites someone who is committing a crime or attempting to commit a crime at the time of the attack, the owner will not be guilty of any crime.

It is also important to note that a dog will not be declared dangerous under Florida law in the first place if the person who is bitten by the dog was trespassing on the owner’s property or was tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog or the dog’s owner or family member.  Further, no dog will be declared dangerous if the dog was protecting or defending a human within the immediate vicinity of the dog from an unjustified attack or assault.

Additional Sources:  § 775.082, Florida Statutes (2009); Freeman v. State, 969 So. 2d 473 (Fla. 5th DCA 2007).

Additional Resources:  Homeowner Insurance for Dog Bites, How to Hire an Attorney

Disclaimer:  This article is in no way intended as legal advice.  For help with specific legal issues surrounding Florida’s dog bite law, or the dog bite laws in your jurisdiction, please contact a dog bite attorney in your local area.