A retractable animal leash assembly is disclosed. The animal leash assembly comprises a housing comprising an external surface having an ergonomically shaped hand grip portion. The animal leash assembly also comprises a retractable flexible leash extendable from and retractable into the housing, a distal end of the leash having an attachment clip configured to be releasably attached to an attachment point on a collar or harness on an animal. The animal leash assembly also comprises an actuator operable from the external surface and configured to move the attachment clip between a locked configuration in which the attachment clip is configured so that it cannot be detached from the attachment point on the collar or harness, and an open configuration in which the attachment clip can be attached to or detached from the attachment point on the collar or harness. In use, a user is able to move the attachment clip between the locked configuration and the open configuration using the actuator remotely from the attachment clip.
