UPDATE!!:CT legislative ALERT!

[stegall]

LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT-For Immediate Release 4/2005

UPDATE AS OF 05/04/05-the bill passed the HOUSE and moves to SENATE!!

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 3/22/05: The bill made it through the insurance committee by a very narrow margin and now heads to the House and Senate for votes.

**UPDATE 4/25/05: An amendment has now been added. The bill now not only prohibits breed discrimination by insurance companies, but provides named protection from breed discrimination for ****guide/service and search and rescue dogs *********

**UPDATE: 5/4/05: We made it through the House with fierce opposition 77 to 70. The bill now heads to the Senate. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATORS IMMEDIATELY!!!! THIS IS VERY CLOSE-WE NEED HELP NOW!!!


PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING IMMEDIATELY:

Ø Contact your state Senators and urge them to support and/or Co-Sponsor HB 6543 {SEE UPDATE of 5/4/05 ABOVE}

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 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)