The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Chris Pearce, today announced that he had placed a Trade Practices Act ban on the supply of “Woofaz Pet Products” 3 metre retractable dog leash.
The ACCC received a report of a serious eye injury associated with the Woofaz 3 metre dog leash. A child was walking her dachshund puppy using a Woofaz 3 metre retractable dog leash. When the leash was fully extended the dog continued to pull on the leash. The metallic clasp attaching the leash to the dog’s collar snapped and the leash recoiled into the girl’s eye.
The girl sustained major damage to her eye and has lost virtually all functional use of the eye. The ACCC subsequently received a report of another facial injury associated with the same brand of dog leash.
The ACCC commissioned testing of the strength of ten Woofaz 3 metre dog leashes, and all ten clasps failed at unacceptably low forces.
“I am left with no alternative but to ban the supply of this product, as it appears that it will or may cause injury,” Mr Pearce said. “Any consumers who have this product should stop using it immediately and dispose of it in a manner which ensures it will not be used again.”
The product may be described as a lightweight retractable leash in a moulded plastic casing available in a variety of colours. The face of the circular retractable casing has the words “AUTOMATIC DOG LEASH” on both sides with a moulded drawing of a dog in a circle at the centre of the casing. The casing incorporates a moulded grip. The product sells for between approximately $1.00 and $5.00 and sales appear to have been mainly on-line.
1 November 2006
CANBERRA
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