Post by Brooke on Jan 23, 2004 1:25:05 GMT -5
Bill Would Bar Discrimination Against 'Bad Breed' Dogs
POSTED: 7:22 AM PST January 22, 2004
UPDATED: 8:55 AM PST January 22, 2004
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Taj Melvin spent hours searching for an insurance company to cover her Tacoma rental property. But when she mentioned her two Rottweiler dogs, all nine insurers she contacted turned her down.
"To me, this is canine racism," Melvin said Wednesday after speaking to the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. " Dogs need to be judged on behavior, not on breed."
A House bill would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners who own or house certain kinds of dogs. Some insurers view breeds such as pit bulls and Doberman Pinschers as potential safety hazards.
"There's a lot of misplaced concern in the insurance industry right now," said Rep. Tom Campbell, who sponsored the bill. "It is affecting people and their beloved pets for no reason but corporate policy."
Campbell, R-Roy, said the practice stems from insurers' misconceptions about large, powerful dogs -- and sensationalized reports of dog attacks.
"They're big animals and as a result people are afraid of those animals," said Campbell, who wore a tie decorated with dogs. He describes his 105-pound Rottweiler, 6-year-old Loki, as "a big sweetie."
Under Campbell's bill, property and casualty insurers could not deny, cancel or modify homeowner's policies based on the type of dog a person has. That includes new and renewed coverage.
The bill does not apply to " dangerous dogs" as defined under a 2002 law, Campbell said. Those are animals that have a history of attacking humans and other animals.
According to the American Kennel Club, so-called "bad-breed" dogs prohibited by many insurers can include German Shepherds, chows and huskies -- even mixed-breed dogs.
Olympia basset hound owner Sylvie McGee said those breeds are unfairly singled out. "Any dog, if they're not carefully raised, if they're not carefully treated, can be a hazard," she said.
Insurers agree.
"As a class, dog owners bring a risk to home ownership that non-dog owners do not," said Melvin Sorensen, who represents Allstate Insurance Co. and a few industry groups. Sorensen defended the practice of singling out large breeds that are considered aggressive.
"It's important to remember that dangerous dogs pose significant injuries to humans and significant risk," he said.
Regardless of whether most insurers cover dog owners, Sorensen said the owners still have the option of seeking another company.
"That's the advantage of a competitive market," he said.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
POSTED: 7:22 AM PST January 22, 2004
UPDATED: 8:55 AM PST January 22, 2004
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Taj Melvin spent hours searching for an insurance company to cover her Tacoma rental property. But when she mentioned her two Rottweiler dogs, all nine insurers she contacted turned her down.
"To me, this is canine racism," Melvin said Wednesday after speaking to the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. " Dogs need to be judged on behavior, not on breed."
A House bill would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners who own or house certain kinds of dogs. Some insurers view breeds such as pit bulls and Doberman Pinschers as potential safety hazards.
"There's a lot of misplaced concern in the insurance industry right now," said Rep. Tom Campbell, who sponsored the bill. "It is affecting people and their beloved pets for no reason but corporate policy."
Campbell, R-Roy, said the practice stems from insurers' misconceptions about large, powerful dogs -- and sensationalized reports of dog attacks.
"They're big animals and as a result people are afraid of those animals," said Campbell, who wore a tie decorated with dogs. He describes his 105-pound Rottweiler, 6-year-old Loki, as "a big sweetie."
Under Campbell's bill, property and casualty insurers could not deny, cancel or modify homeowner's policies based on the type of dog a person has. That includes new and renewed coverage.
The bill does not apply to " dangerous dogs" as defined under a 2002 law, Campbell said. Those are animals that have a history of attacking humans and other animals.
According to the American Kennel Club, so-called "bad-breed" dogs prohibited by many insurers can include German Shepherds, chows and huskies -- even mixed-breed dogs.
Olympia basset hound owner Sylvie McGee said those breeds are unfairly singled out. "Any dog, if they're not carefully raised, if they're not carefully treated, can be a hazard," she said.
Insurers agree.
"As a class, dog owners bring a risk to home ownership that non-dog owners do not," said Melvin Sorensen, who represents Allstate Insurance Co. and a few industry groups. Sorensen defended the practice of singling out large breeds that are considered aggressive.
"It's important to remember that dangerous dogs pose significant injuries to humans and significant risk," he said.
Regardless of whether most insurers cover dog owners, Sorensen said the owners still have the option of seeking another company.
"That's the advantage of a competitive market," he said.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.