Leashed kids in the mall.

[MineralMan]

54. Apparently, those harnesses and leashes

have a history that goes back to the 18th century. In England, they call the leashes reins. It's funny that such a thing would bring out such strong reactions, I think. I figure that Mom knows what she needs to keep her own child safe and under control. By age 5, the need for such a walking restraint seems like it would be over, though, in most cases.

I know one thing: I don't like seeing a kid being walked with his or her arm stretched to its limit while holding hands with an adult. That seems very painful to me. A leash attached to a harness between the shoulder blades. No problem. I'd add a handle to the back of the harness, so the parent could quickly pick the kid up to avoid a puddle or dog or something.

My wife and I use harnesses on our dogs, rather than collars. The leash attaches between the dog's shoulder blades, so there's no pressure on the dog's neck. Our beagle, by the way, loves to run to the end of the leash and get his front paws lifted off the ground by the leash. He clearly enjoys that, and will suddenly bolt so he can feel like he's flying at the end. No harm done. He's being lifted by the big band under his rib cage, with no pressure on his neck.

Same principle as the kids' harnesses. No stress on the body at all.