ALERT:North Kansas City says too bad if you cant get insurnace.

[Rene Allegrini]

Alert provided by Jodi Preis of fightBSL group

City says its proposed requirement wouldn’t be a problem for most.

By MIKE RICE
The Kansas City Star

North Kansas City officials have confirmed that a liability insurance requirement for new licensed dog owners should not impose any undue hardships.

In a verification measure suggested by Mayor Gene Bruns, the Police Department contacted several insurance companies and asked for information on policy statements for homeowners and renters insurance coverage.
Police Sgt. John Stark said he found that insurance coverage for new dog owners was easily available, but could be denied for those with an aggressive breed of dog.

Aggressive breeds, he said, generally include pit bull, Doberman, chow, German shepherd and Rottweiler.

“An owner of an aggressive breed of dog may have difficulty obtaining coverage, especially if they are a homeowner,” Stark wrote in a memo to the City Council, “but some companies may still provide coverage if the insured has a long history with the company and had little or no claims.”

Kansas City Star | 02/21/2007 | NKC investigates insurance for dogs

[JemarsSerena]

This is really not such a bad idea. They went with insurance requirements because they felt that to ban a specific breed would accomplish nothing. Requiring insurance may help to keep mis understood breeds out of the wrong hands. Almost all those with homeowners insurance are already covered and renters insurance is about $12.00 a month. Small price to pay to keep a dog if you ask me.

[hokisteph5]

While on the surface this appears okay, I don't think the public needs to necessarily fear the dog whose owner gets it licensed. I even wonder if it will make a difference.

What's being done to ensure that all of the dogs are being licensed? What penalties are in place if an owner hasn't gotten their dog(s) a license? I just think the biggest offenders that ruin it for responsible dog owners everywhere thumb their noses all the time at the rules.

[JemarsSerena]

You're right, it does nothing for plain stupid people. I personally feel it is impossible to make all dog owners liscense thier dogs. I'm just glad it does nothing to punish responsible owners like so many BSL does.

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by JemarsSerena

You're right, it does nothing for plain stupid people. I personally feel it is impossible to make all dog owners liscense thier dogs. I'm just glad it does nothing to punish responsible owners like so many BSL does.

It does punish the responsible dog owner. People have a hard time just getting regular homeowner's insurance with certain breeds. Now they have to get an additional liability insurance. My breeder in CT tried to do that. She called 23 insurance companies asking for a liability policy. She couldn't get it when she told them that she had rottweilers. It didn't matter that she had the #2 conformation rottweiler in the nation and BOB Westminster the year before. She couldn't get the insurance.
If you think it is so easy, go ahead and try to get it and don't forget to tell the agent that you have rottweilers. See how long it takes and how much it costs. This IS BSL disguised as an all breed measure. Don't kid yourself about that.
I don't think that anyone should think this measure is acceptable. It is only a backdoor measure to BSL. Just look at the title- the city doesn't care if owners of some breeds can't get insurance. This measure was done with a purpose- to get rid of the listed breeds.

[poohbearsmom]

I agree that this punishes the responsible! Those who are irresponsible are likely those who don't give a rat's butt about being insured.

Try getting insurance in Florida right now... between the storms of 2 years ago and owning rottweilers - it's next to impossible!!!!! If you own a MUTT many companies question you as to what the predominant breed in the mix is!!!

Educating the lawmakers - educating the insurance companies - offering them options when it comes to insuring us - and getting them to LISTEN, is to me a very important hurdle to jump.