This is from an email. It sounds like you can get hit by this thing breaking and your dog can get loose:

The PetsitUSA.com Blog   
Recall: SlyDog Retractable Dog Leash

Posted: 04 Sep 2008 02:07 PM CDT

SlyDog is recalling retractable leashes because the metal clasp is defective and may come loose while in use.

SlyDog is voluntarily recalling 223,264 units of its Retractable Dog Leash as a precautionary response to isolated consumer reports of a component malfunction.

Reports indicate a possible hardware failure of the product’s metal clasp, causing the leash to break free from the dog’s collar. Minor injuries have occurred when the broken leash snapped back toward the person holding it.

Number of units affected: 223,264
Dates produced: from 9/2007 to 1/2008
Manufactured in: China
Sold at: Dollar General stores
MSRP: $5.00
Sold from: 9/2007 to 8/2008

If you purchased a SlyDog Retractable Leash with a METAL clasp, please discontinue use of this product. You are eligible for a $5.51 refund ($5 retail price plus 10.25% sales tax) and a $2.53 postage credit for returning the product to us by mail. Total credit to you is: $8.04. Note: This recall does not apply to current stock of the SlyDog Retractable Dog Leash featuring a PLASTIC clasp. By-mail product replacements are not available as a part of this recall.

For more information on the recall see the SlyDog website.

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SlyDog website:
http://www.squareonesystem.com/recall.html