The problem is the owners for seeking out an agressive breed and training them to fight. The trailer park (not airstream) down the road seems to be a training and breeding ground for pitbulls. Everyone has one and it's common for their owners to tie long lengths of half inch chains to their necks to drag around to build muscle. These dogs at least around here are bred to fight and is a tough guy orniment to go along with the jacked up chevy, big chrome wheels, thumpin radio crowd Just telling it like I see it everyday.
Not unusual to read in the paper about another pitbull attack there and everyone seems to have a cardboard sign up for pitbull pups for sale..
I don't blame the insurance companies for trying to cut their exposure as they are in business to make money not to provide charity. Maybe you could ask the insurance company to exclude dog bites and attacks from your pitbull in their policy? Not trying to be funny but if your dog is no risk then it shouldn't matter?
Dobermans had the same stigma until pitbulls took their place. I love animals but would never choose one that I knew was a known as a problem breed. Why bother subjecting yourself to voluntary grief?
Just my opinion.....
Looks like they will either nonrenew your policy - or they may try to cancel for "noncompliance of a critical recommendation". My guess is they will nonrenew. Nevada regulations for homeowners:
Endorsement: HO 01 27 05 02 Statute: 687B.310 to 687B.420
Length of cancellation notice required for nonpayment
10 days Length of cancellation notice required for other reasons (for a new policy)
10 days Are there cancellation restrictions after __ days based on certain valid reasons?
Yes, after 60 days for nonpayment, material misrepresentation, substantial change in risk If so, is the cancellation notice requirement lengthened?
Yes, 30 days for other than nonpayment Is there a notice requirement for nonrenewal, or for policy changes?
Yes, 30 days for nonrenewal
I think only in Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta.
I've been with State Farm for years - and consistently have given me great rates. Probably because I've got many eggs in the same basket. But when shopping around for motorcycle insurance, I contacted several supposed motorcycle specialists, and was quoted an average of about $90-$100/monthly (I'm a relative newbie on the motorbike front). My State Farm agent insured me for $35/month...
But while I'm pretty sure he knows I've got a few dogs, it's never been even remotely brought up for any policy. Don't know if it's one of those cultural differences between Canada and the US.
But all the same, it's too bad that losers out there have created monsters from a dog that used to be considered a nanny dog, taking care of kids in the past.
__________________ Michelle & family
(2 lively boys, 2 dogs & a hubby) 2005 28' International CCD
Shouldn't it be called "Province Farm" in Canada? I suspect you have better regulation of insurance companies in Canada and that may be why there has been no problem for you Michelle. State Farm in the US has been involved in a number of class action suits—which they lost— because they have not treated their insureds well.
I agree the problem with many dogs is the owner. Dogs (and maybe humans) are pack animals and learn from observing the "A" male and female in the pack—usually their owners or past owners. Aggressive people have aggressive dogs, a point well made by nsteel. Sometimes people, especially not too bright kids, treat dogs badly and the dog shouldn't be blamed for biting them. Some breeds are bred for hunting, some for herding, some for friendliness and some for aggression. A good owner can train a dog bred for aggression and make it friendly, but there's always a possibility heredity will win out some day. I don't think a dog should be penalized when it hasn't done anything wrong, but people (and dogs) are subject to thinking in generalities.
When I was a kid, I had a German Shepherd. In those days, they were the breed people were afraid of. I used to play rough with her and she would never hurt me; she was devoted to the family. But anyone else? Watch out! Heredity matters just like owners and training.
I'm sorry that your insurance company is giving you a bad time, but I understand their concern.
I've seen 2 incidents up-close-and personal regarding pits. First, my red heeler was attacked by an off-leash pit last year. The pit walked straight up to us and grabbed my dog's neck, no warning, no nothing. Luckily I was able to get him off her without serious damage. The animal control officer came to get him (we'd tied him to a tree) when putting him in the truck the dog politely jumped in...the officer said, "Oh he's been here before." Nice.
This fall, our next door neigbor, a college kid, had a roommate move in with a "nice" a pit. "Oh she's nice except around other dogs." We saw the pit come charging off the porch (yes, kid had her outside w/out a leash) and the pit grabbed another neighbor's dog as he walked his dog (on leash) and 2 young daughters down the sidewalk. It took the two men to get the pit off the dog. Scared everyone, especially the little girls. We had animal control here the next day, filed complaints. Also the father of the 2 girls told the kid who owns the house "he'd own his house" if it ever happened again. We have 7 youngsters on this street, and most of us have dogs. We've all kept an eye out to be sure the dog isn't out.
After seeing these two things happen, I have to say I'm not fan of Pit Bulls.
Our home insurance carrier asked us about what kind of dog we had. Apparently Border Collies are acceptable. They also said that if we had one of the notorious breeds then we would have to get a rider policy for the dog.
Speaking of mean dogs - the neighbors St. Bernard did a sneak attack on my Border Collie this past Saturday when my dog was doing nothing but sitting next to me in the back yard. That St. Bernard became very familiar with my steel toe work boots....... This is the second time this has happened.
Speaking of mean dogs - the neighbors St. Bernard did a sneak attack on my Border Collie this past Saturday when my dog was doing nothing but sitting next to me in the back yard. That St. Bernard became very familiar with my steel toe work boots....... This is the second time this has happened.
Ouch. That's a big dog to be running amok, not to mention for the second time... Sounds like it's the neighbor's time to become familiar with your steel toe boots, figuratively at any rate.
Hope your pup is OK.
__________________ Michelle & family
(2 lively boys, 2 dogs & a hubby) 2005 28' International CCD
I have to agree with Barbara, here in the Houston area we have read many horror stories of children being killed by Pit bulls. I know the ones that are nice are very nice, and your's is obviously older and established, but I too understand the concern. I have read numerous stories in recent years about pit bulls killing children, even adults, and always seems to be a pit bull. I'm a dog lover, I have two dogs, but I would never have a pit bull in my house with my three young children. I could never live with myself if anything happened.
Unfortunately when a breed becomes popular, like the St. Bernard, people start breeding them just for the money and the temperment suffers. Dalmations have seen this in recent years. The only dog I ever got bitten by at the shows was a St. Bernard. Actually two different dogs, one bit me, the other one grabbed my Standard Poodle as we walked by. It's lucky Standards have so much show coat. He got slobbered on, but not hurt. Show people know to stay away from the Saints now. No Pit Bulls at the shows, and the Am Staffs are not likely to get to you because their handlers know what the dog is capable of. Saint owners didn't seem to be as watchful. Tell your insurance company how old this dog is and the idea about a clause excluding dog bites from the Pit Bull is a good idea.
__________________ Judy and Bob
At Home in Oklahoma
Because we all remember the stories of a St. Bernard saving stranded people in the Alps with a small cask of brandy or some libation, they seem lovable. Aside from the fact that alcohol is not good for someone with hypothermia, maybe those dogs are very well trained.
I remember a friend living next to some St. Bernards and those dogs acted aggressively! They were behind a fence, but it seemed like they could take the fence down in a second. I rearranged my whole viewpoint on that breed. I didn't like visiting there. I have heard more than once St. Bernards can be dangerous.
You may have a hard time replacing the homeowner's policy if you cancel. I understand they are really looking at the breeds of dogs in offering coverage. My daughter's policy would not cover a trampoline......granted she is in California but insurance companies in general seem to be looking for reasons to decline offering coverage.
We tried to shop the master policy for our condo in Mammoth Lakes, Ca when it came up for renewal and other companies would not bid on it without our making some significant changes (like fireproofing the shake shingles-which used to be a good thing to have but no longer in drought sticken California).
And giving wrong information (like breed of the dog) could void your policy altogether if you suffer a loss...
Hopefully you will find a good agent that can help you steer through this sticky issue. Perhaps someone who is familiar with different companies underwriting policies can chime in here. pj
__________________ Suite Spot
WBCCI # 22353 Air#13593 1968 28'Ambassador
Macfrodge,
Our dog only got hurt the first time. Puncture wound in the chest. I irrigated the wound with a solution of iodine/h2o and was healed in a couple of days. While my border collie is not a fighter - he is fast as lightning and can run circles around that big old dog.
When the big dog gets into our yard our border collie will herd him back over like he was just an old cow.
People kill people, guns don't. There are few "bad" dogs. But, lots of bad owners. Unfortunately, one has to legislate to the lowest common denominator or there will always be those who push the limits. If I had any dog living in my neighborhood capable of causing death, I would want reassurance that certain criteria were met.
1. The dog must be trained to obey it's owner. No exceptions.
2. The dog's enclosure must be foolproof secure. Just like a gun vault.
3. The dog is well cared for.
Tom
As an owner of a bitbull/boxer mix, I must say that you are right on the above statement Tom!!!
I've owned my "pup" since he was 6 wks old and have never regreted getting him. I'll say that I was slightly concerned about the reputation of the breed when I got him, but after living with him for over 5 years, I'm a firm believer that it is the "bad" owners that give Whiskey(my pup) a bad name. You MUST be willing to train these dogs and not be afraid of them if you do decide to live with them. SOCIALIZE them with other dogs/people/kids and they turn out just fine. BUT ALWAYS be a responsible owner and know the capabilities of any dog, not just the ones with a bad rep!!!!
Here's my pup
As far as homeowner's insurance goes, I've never owned a home, but have bought renter's insurance without a problem through Allstate. It may be that he's a mix breed, but they didn't give me any grief about having him in the policy.
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Just telling it like I see it everyday.
Judy and Bob
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