Source: {"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"}

The present invention relates to a restraint for an animal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a restraint that removably engages an anchor.
Dogs are one of the most popular household pets and are typically exercised by taking the dog on a walk. During the walk, the dog's movement is typically limited by a hand-held restraint such as a leash to prevent the dog from running freely, and into dangerous situations. In many cities, ordinances require a restraint be attached to the dog when the dog is not on the owner's property.
Many restraints are a fixed length and provide adequate control of the dog's movement. However, a fixed length restraint is easily tangled in an obstacle when the restraint is slack. Also, the fixed length restraint does not provide the dog much freedom of movement because the restraint is typically short to prevent the restraint from becoming entangled in obstacles.
Retractable restraints have become more popular in controlling a dog's movement on a walk. The restraint typically includes a lead that is biased onto a reel within a housing where the lead is retracted onto the reel such that the lead remains taut during the walk while not impeding the dog's movement.
While the retractable restraint provides advantages over the fixed length restraint, neither restraint is practical in tethering the dog to an area in the event that the walker decides to rest for an extended period of time and does not want to continuously grasp the restraint. Also, a restraint is not practical to provide a tether while at a picnic, on vacation or any other outdoor activity spent away from an enclosed area because the pet owner would have to continuously grasp the restraint.