Andrea Rosebrock 
Pryor is a happy, fun loving pitbull and an important part of Laura Pendleton’s family and life. He’s even got paperwork attesting to what a wonderful dog he is.
“He said he is an asset to society and he’s a loyal, fun-loving, neutered dog,” said Laura.
Unfortunately for this Milford, CT woman, she found out that no matter how sweet, wonderful or loving Pryor is, The Hartford Insurance Company was one of the now many insurance companies that are practicing their own breed discrimination. When Laura went to renew her home owner’s policy she didn’t think anything of filling out a questionnaire and stating the breed of Pryor as an American Staffordshire Terrier. Two days later she was denied a policy renewal.
“And I said American Staffordshire Terrier and two days later I got the renewal notice denied,” she said. “And the reason they gave was that he is an unacceptable mix.”
Contacted, a rep of The Hartford had this to say, “Initially my understanding is the was a terrier mix and that did not present a problem,” said Insurance Agent Don Burns. “And on a questionnaire, she indicated the dog was a Pitbull, but breed Pitbull which is going to cause a problem with just about every insurance company in the world.”
Many insurance companies are taking this stance and not only with pitbulls but with any bred that is considered a “dangerous breed” such a Rottweilers, Doberman Shepherds, German Shepherds, Chows, Akitas, wolf-hybrids and others.
At least in CT, one legislator is trying to make some changes and refuse to allow this breed discrimination by insurance companies.
“I think there is a way out of this and we are going to do this legislatively,” said State Senator Ed Myers.
His proposal would forbid insurance companies from denying homeowners insurance because of a specific breed and also allow them to get insurance at a higher premium if their dog has bitten someone before.
Breed discrimination must stop! Insurance companies already screw you one way or another. They take your money and in many cases you are required to have insurance, be it a home or vehicle policy, then they will fight any claim. And now another excuse to deny coverage or you can bet they will deny a claim if they decide they they don’t like the breed of dog you have.
People, companies and organizations need to stop discriminating against dogs based on breed. Most all dogs, regardless of breed, can be wonderful, loyal and loving companions if they are raised well, trained and socialized. We need to take a stand and stop supporting companies and politicians that support discrimination. It may start out as one breed today but who knows what it may be tomorrow?
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My husband and I were refused home owners insurance 6 yrs ago here in Ontario because we owned a purebred registered and licensed American Pit Bull Terrier and a well trained and friendly dog. Someone needs to stop these crooks in their tracks.
This is just one topic I am writing about. We need to stop all this discrimiantion now. What right do these morons have to decide who gets what? The same goes for medical insurance. If people are willing to pay the premiums, then it shouldn’t concern them. Insurance companies of all sorts need to be put in their place. There is so much wrong with this world and if we don’t start fixing it we are going to be in deep S__t. Everyone needs to take a stand on this. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and pray that the right thing is done.
More stupidity again , maybe the Pendletons should go out and get hand guns because we know they are safe ? I am in Ontario and have vet papers saying my 2 are other breeds just to keep my sanity , Insurance companies are the real criminals .
This is a shame always penalising against these Darlings
I am so tired of all the BSL with the poor pittis. It is so unfair to any of these “agressive” breeds. If these insurance companies spent a week with these dogs of “agressive nature”, they would find that they are nothing but big lap dogs. What a crock.
Insurance companies need to realize that the honest people are paying their premiums; unlike the morons who do not even have insurance, or enough coverage, then when there is an incident, it us, you and I who have to pay for it in the raised rates.
I agree with Terry. The Pendeltons should get hand guns, because according to all these people with the BSL attitudes, hand guns are safer. Glad you did that with your vet Terry. Smart smart move.
Susie , it it easy for politician’s to introduce BSL because grandma and others will see it as them taking care of us . It passed in Ontario within weeks despite many arguments from vets and other knowleagable parties saying it is not needed.So many are ignorant but because of the local news making these pups out to be killers .I had a man at the beach making stupid comments about one of my dogs , saying ” what kind of person would get one of these monsters ” I told him he should keep his comments down or be worried about the other end of the leash .
Terry, it is funny this subject of BSL is so popular. My son has a good friend and his girlfriend in from Germany for the week, and all were over for dinner last night. The German boy was asking me questions about my rescue endeavors, and I have many pictures of dogs I have transported/rescued. I work with many pittis, and he asked me “Aren’t they dangerous dogs?” I sat down and talked to him about pits for about a half an hour. I explained to him that they are very loving dogs, just like my labs, and that the worst thing a pit ever did to me was wash my face with kisses. They even carry the stigma in Germany. I asked if they had BSL there, and he said he is unaware of any laws like that. I told him I wished he was here a bit longer, so I could take him on a transport, where he could see the love that these “dangerous dogs” give. We spoke of many breeds of dogs, and is amazed that I have no fears of any sort with any breed of dog.
Isn’t this just getting a little out of control. Sounds to me like another way for this country “America”, I call home, to control us..hmmmm. Jeeezzzz! What next? Door to door checks on what you are keeping in your homes? What breed of animals, how many guns, HOW MANY TIMES YOU GO TO THE TOILET???? Something HAS to be done to stop these ridiculous thoughts of these idiots! I say let’s meet them at the door with the guns and dogs and take care of them that way. They certainly are not listening to the facts on these wonderful “BSL” dogs. DAMN! How many times do I have to say how dangerous those little ankle biters can be (no offense to anyone with the little cuties…I like them too)? Remember….Basenji’s (one of my favorite little dogs) are the “silent” attackers. Good Lord, these humans are stupid! I’m tired of others’ controling our lives and how we will live day to day. This will eventually cause nothing but a shit load of liars in this world to hide their loved ones from these unknowledgeable, idiotic, crazy control freaks! They better start reading up and listening up on all this crap they are putting us through. THINK you fools out there…just think what you are doing! Next thing you know…only blond haired, blue eyed human baby’s will be allowed to live! Hmmmm.
This is not discrimination… This is math people. Insurance has to go by probabilities, because for example one dog bite lawsuit settled out of court $130,000. Now that figure could be higher or lower, just for example. So Let’s turn back to the insurance, say $2k a year. Ok so the insurance company would need that person to stay with them for 65 years, or would need 65 policies to be able to afford to cover that one loss. That’s not counting the expense to write and maintain the policy. Insurance companies have the right to verify price or exclude exposures to make sure they can afford to cover losses. And the more risk the more price. A multiple DUI offender pays more then someone who is incident free. Now if the insurance company cancels the DUI offenders policy no one explodes, its good business. So lets bring it back to pitbulls. Do insurance agents not like pets, heck no, I have some myself. But we play the numbers, we look back at all losses paid over the past, and say ok we had say 100 dog bite claims. Of those, these breeds accounted for the most, so to keep our premiums down we’re going to exclude them. To give you an idea of what it would cost, we’d probably have to charge those 65 policies $3k a year to keep running business as usual. So Now those 65 people cancel and go elsewhere. Now of course individual owners train and raise their pets properly that will never bite a soul, of course not every dog by himself is going to maul someone. But odds are, with a bunch of policies with say pit bulls. I can guarantee more then 1 in 65 owners of pitbulls don’t do everything by the book. You want to fix this, stop the mass lawsuits, gets better requirements before someone can obtain a pitbull, you raise the legal bar of pitbulls, and insurance companies will respond. Because then it makes good business sense.
boo hoo I really feel sorry for insurance companies! That is out and out discrimination and the insurance companies will have a problem on their hands! What are people supposed to do? give up their pets! give me a break! Insurance companies love to take the money but none of the risks! They are no different then medical insurance!