A WALK IN THE PARK
After trying a variety of different ways to keep other dogs away while walking his dog Luna in the park, Ken B. came up with the SECURITY LEASH, and is currently working with Invention Technologies, Inc. (Invent-Tech) to market his invention to companies who may be interested in licensing and developing the product.
Ken is a retired postal worker and Vietnam veteran. Although details of the SECURITY LEASH cannot be released at this time, Ken shared how he came up with the idea. He developed the idea three years ago and decided to pursue it about six months ago. He explained that he usually walks Luna, who is a Terrier and Chihuahua mix, in parks. He said that, on the average, he tends to see joggers with dogs that are not on leashes. "Most dogs are friendly, but I don't trust any animal that is not on a leash," Ken said. "When you have a small pet, you are afraid to walk in a state park or anywhere people have dogs running loose."
About three years ago, he was walking his dog when a larger, unleashed dog approached him and Luna. He said Luna and the larger dog began fighting. He said that his veterinarian explained to him that smaller dogs might become a little aggressive when on a leash and around other dogs because they feel threatened that they cannot escape. "The two got into it and I had no means to separate them so I stuck my arm in," he said, explaining that he was bitten by his own dog in the process and the bite drew blood. He added that he became angry because people are supposed to have their dogs on a leash or have control of the animal. He said that he has had an unleashed dog approach him a number of times. After that incident, he tired a number of tactics to keep other animals away.
At first, he started to take a water pistol with him on his walks to see if water would scare the unleashed dogs away if they approached him. "I do love animals and I want to make sure that I don't hurt the other animal," he said. He also said that he purchased a sonic device and his wife obtained a license for mace, but decided he did not want to harm an animal with it. After trying a variety of things, he put two items that already exist together to create the SECURITY LEASH. He created the new item three years ago and decided to try to market it about six months ago when he called Invent-Tech. "I talked to the vet, and he said it was a good idea," he said. "When people see me with it, they ask where I got it." He said that he contacted Invent-Tech after watching the commercial on TV and he is now "on a roll with this thing." He said that he can now go outside and walk his dog approaching. He explained that since inventing the SECURITY LEASH, he has had a few dogs approach him and it has kept them away. "I just want to walk my dog without fear," he said. He said that about a year ago, he had another run-in with an unleashed dog and said that he was glad he had his SECURITY LEASH with him at the time. That was before he called Invent-Tech.
Ken said that Invent-Tech has been "very good and very detailed." "They are very careful that the confidentiality stays there," he said. "They are really interested in working with me and I am really surprised at what the company has done for me." Ken said that the SECURITY LEASH would probably cost somewhere between $15 and $30. He is hoping to have his invention available to the public soon. "Everyone says you can't invent a new mouse trap. They are wrong," he said. "There is still room to do a lot more if you have an idea. If you think it will work, go for it."