Mandatory Dog Insurance

So how would you feel if your state mandated that you have insurance for your dog? I know I hear a lot about how people feel about the mandate for humans to have health insurance, but what about pets?

There is a proposal in Texas that would mandate that dog owners would have to get liablity insurance for their dogs. Unleashed, un-neutered dogs over 20 pounds would be required to have a liability insurance policy of at least $100,000 if House Bill 998 passes. State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon said "large, un-neutered dogs present the highest risk for property damage and injuries to others, and that owners should be held more responsible for their dogs' behavior." (See the full article at http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/16/texas-dog-owners-barking-mad-proposal-mandate-dog-insurance/.)

It looks like this bill will have a hard time actually passing. Opponents think that this is just too much. According to the article, Wendy Diamond, pet expert and author, said, "There are more bullies at school playgrounds than dog fights in dog parks... when they demand liability insurance on children then this will be fair."

What do you think of this representative's bill? Would you support pet owners having to buy insurance on their male, un-neutered dogs, just in case? I personally don't like the idea and I don't think it will do the good that the representative hopes it will. After all, these same pet owners are the ones who don't neuter their dogs, too... Mandating that might be a better idea... I don't know!

--Tammy

Comments

[turtlecookie]

No, I don't really like the idea of mandatory liability insurance for unleashed, un-neutered dogs. Unleashed and un-neutered are two separate issues, for one thing, as is dog aggression. If someone has a dog that bites, they are already liable, I believe, whether or not their dog is leashed and/or neutered. Although, sometimes it requires people being hit in their pocket books for them to take responsibility and do the right thing. Sad.

Turtlecookie

[Midge Ruhl]

Yes. I agree with Tutlecookie - I work in a municipality with a the usual "leash laws". We have learned that when the local ordinance is violated regarding dogs of this subject, the problem only becomes somewhat remedied, due to these people being hit in their pocket books! Very sad!