A retracting and locking leash housing includes a casing (30) and a handle (28). A pair of connectors (32) space the casing (30) from the handle (28) and define a finger (34) opening. A trigger (38) includes a gripping portion (48) and a locking portion (46) and is slidably supported for rectilinear movement. The gripping portion (48) and the locking portion (46) are connected by arms (50), which are coextensive with the connectors (32) about the finger (34) opening. A spool (36) is rotatably disposed in the casing (30) and includes a circle of teeth (58) and a finger (34) extends from the locking portion (46) to engage the circle of teeth (58) when the trigger (38) is moved rectilinearly to a locking position to prevent rotation of the spool (36).