Urgent-Legislative ALERT in CT! HELP

[stegall]

Hello all. I am new and this is my first post, so please bear with me if it doesn't turn out right. However, I need to share some urgent news with those of you in CT. I need to get the word out to the Rotti people about this legislation, so any help you can give would be greatly appreciated, as there is opposition from the insurance industry. It is VERY easy to email your legislator and request their suport, and time is running out....Legislative Alert as follows:

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LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT-For Immediate Release 4/2005

ATTENTION DOG OWNERS OF CONNECTICUT:
SUPPORT 6543!

YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED! Legislation has been introduced this session that would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against breeds of dogs. HB6543 An Act Concerning Homeowners and Tenants Insurance Underwriting Based on Breed of Dog would keep insurance companies from denying insurance or charging higher insurance rates based strictly on the breed of your dog.

Unfortunately, families have been forced to give up their pets because they cannot afford the high insurance premiums, or have been unable to obtain coverage just because their dog is on this breed list. This practice needs to be stopped. The insurance industry is lobbying to kill this bill, and the public needs to come forward in support or the bill will die.

UPDATE: The bill made it through the insurance committee by a very narrow margin on March 22, 2005 and now heads to the House and Senate for votes.

PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING IMMEDIATELY:

Ø Contact your state Senators and Representatives and urge them to support and/or Co-Sponsor HB 6543


Ø Contact your local dog clubs or breed associations and ask that they also
have their members contact their legislators.

If you do not know who your legislator is, or need their contact information, please visit the CT General Assembly website at www.cga.ct.gov. On the left side of the page click on “House” or “Senate” and then “find your legislator”. You may email them through this link. You may also call your town hall if you do not have internet access. If you have questions about this bill, or need assistance, please contact Amy Stegall stegall@snet.net

Please always use the title and bill number when speaking with your legislators, and be respectful and polite. Let the legislators know that you cannot judge a dog by its breed alone! Make yourself heard: phone/fax/email/write your legislators today!

**PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE AS APPROPRIATE**

ALL DOG OWNERS AND LOVERS NEED TO SPEAK OUT NOW--YOUR DOG COULD BE NEXT!

A “few” of the dog breeds on the banned list include: Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, Mastiffs, Akitas, Rottweilers, Dobermans…. (crosses/mixes of these breeds are also included)

[RottiMomCT]

Already contacted my representative...

[stegall]

THANKS THANKS! every voice counts, and dog owners will make the difference on whether this legislation passes. :)

[CHANCESHARLEY]

[font=Arial Black][size=3][color=Black]Amy, Thank you for all the information that you provided. I am having the same problem with my homeowners insurance. I bought my house 6 years ago and never had a problem. I was sent a letter in the mail asking me if I had any dogs and what type they were. I sent the letter back letting them know I have a rottweiler and a shepherd. I received a letter stating that my homeowners insurance was not going to covery me any more because of "restricted breed of dogs". I was able to find a insurance company that would cover the home but they put in a canine exclusion clause in the policy. Not only that, they doubled my rate of insurance. How can they justice it being fair to do that? I could see if I put in a claim and they doubled my rate. My rotti is 5 years old and wouldn't hurt anyone and my shepherd is 6 years old and blind. I call the rotti my 110 pound baby. My back yard is all fenced in just for them. I had a 6' high stockade fence put up.
When I went to sign the paper work for the insurance I asked the woman "How can insurance companies just assume these so called "restricted breed of dogs" are all bad?" She said she was just doing her job. I then asked her "Do you own dogs?" She said no. I said "Then you wouldn't understand."
All my life I've had dogs. My parents always had dogs too. I never could have children so my dogs are my "kids."
So now dog owners have to suffer for the very few that are bad. I live on a tight budget as it is, but I will find a way to pay this and keep my dogs.
Thanks for you time.
Francine