Patent ID: 7111588

Claim:
A method of securing an animal to a fixed object with a securing device, wherein a lead line is coupled to the animal, and wherein the securing device is mounted to the object and the securing device includes a frame having an opening and a retaining member coupled to the frame, wherein the retaining member includes a surface configured to engage the lead line, the surface extending across a portion of the opening, at an angle relative to the opening such that a portion of the surface disposed proximate an interior region of the opening is further from the opening than a portion of the surface disposed proximate a peripheral region of the opening, the method comprising: forming a bight in the lead line; inserting the bight through the opening; extending the bight around the retaining member; and pulling the lead line to bring the lead line into frictional engagement with the frame and the retaining member to impart a frictional holding force on the lead line, and thereby laterally moving the lead line along the retaining member toward a peripheral region of the opening.