By Sloane Quealy-Miner

Fight for my rights!

New York State insurance companies that write breed specific homeowners insurance policies are directly responsible for the deaths of countless dogs everyday in the state of New York. Their policies make it impossible for a huge percentage of the public to adopt dogs of certain breeds. These insurance companies have demonized and condemned entire breeds of dogs for the bad acts of a few; they have stereotyped all dogs of certain breeds as “vicious”, “killers”, and “dangerous” based on a very loose appearance-based definition of breed, not their individual behavior.

Call to Action – Fight insurance discrimination against dog owners by politely urging the New York Insurance Commissioner Sen. James Seward to pass a life saving bill. Bill 1710 introduced by Senator Sampson will prohibit insurers from refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or charge or impose an increased premium for homeowners’ insurance policies based on the breed of a dog owned if the dog completes an approved obedience course.

Email Sen. James Seward at seward@senate.state.ny.us

Talking Points
- Aggression is a dog issue, not a breed issue
- Insurance companies should determine coverage based on the deed, not on the breed.
- If a dog is a well adjusted member of the household and community, there should be no reason to deny or cancel coverage.

Breedism is the canine equivalent to racism and it must be stopped. Who will be next on their hit list!