I must say first that i am sorry for what happened to Elijah, it was a terrible thing. Bu ti must say that this bill should not be passed, There are many people who have a number of dogs, like myself i have 8, what this bill will do if passed is have many owners give up their dogs to the shelters because they cannot afford the insurance, now what will this do, not only hurt the people who love their animals so much, but it will also crowd all the shelters and millions or should i say billions will be put to death. There is such a thing called SOCIAL SERVICES which helps people who cannot afford insurance for themselves, If Elijah did not have any insurance or any dog bite for that matter, i am sure they can get help from the state. My breed is Rottweilers, all of my dogs are Canine Good Citizens, Temperment tested and also most important THERAPY DOGS, my dogs go into hospitals to make sick people happy, make a child who hasn’t spoke for some time utter some words. I think this bill will cause more problems for the pets and their owners, especially the owners that care, the ones that don’t won’t get the insurance to begin with, and they will be the ones to get away with it by hiding their dogs in their homes. I hope many people will stand against this LAW, there is such a thing as a court system, it may not be perfect but this is the place to get help for compensation on medical bills from the careless person who let their dog bite a child or an adult.
I agree with Nancy. This law would probably not solve the problem as “problem” owners would not buy the required insurance. Also, it is very subjective. Typical”problem breeds” such as german shepards, rottweilers, pit bulls, etc may never bite yet they get all of the blame and their owners would be required to carry insurance. Small dogs also bite, probably more frequently too. I understand the damage would be greater with a large dog but why do we have to single out a particular breed and charge more for one than another?
I can just see it now- underwritingthe liability on a dog. They can set up various rate classes, by breed, weight, and model year! The dog would have to wear a mini-license plate around it’s neck. Oh yes, I forgot to mention the garage/living location of the dog. And what about other household animals- gerbels, hamsters, guina pigs etc.. How about the snakes people keep, alligators and more.
I know, CNA can write the insurance as it will then give them another class of business to retir from in a year or so.
This would never happen here. In San Francisco the dogs would have to buy the insurance themselves, since there are no “dog owners” to be held liable. In SF there are only “pet caregivers”.
Sandy,
I also have a chihuahua (tea cup 4 1/2 lbs) I also have a 60 lb dobbie mix. Guess which one bit me last evening – luckily he is older and only has a few of his teeth. Before these 2 I had a rotweiler/shepherd mix – all are great dogs – even the chi. When we spend time in the back yard, the dobbie covers 20 times as much ground running as does the chi. Does that mean I get a pleasure rate for the chi and a distant commute rate for the dobbie?
I’m guessing that Assemblyman Rivera is not, nor ever has been, a dog owner. Were he one, he would be aware that some Dobermans and Rottweilers are the nicest and, having been properly trained, the best behaved animals, although they are considered “high risk” breeds. He would also know that some “cutesy” breeds like terriers and toy poodles can be some of the most aggressive little biters. What’s the difference? The owners. There are responsible and irresponsible pet owners, just as there are responsible and irresponsible parents.
Regarding the proposal “would permit legal action”, if there’s anything PREVENTING legal action here in NY state, I don’t know what it is.
Also, the “research behind the bill” doesn’t indicate whether the “37% increase in the last 10 years” is reflecting NY state specific numbers or a nationwide increase. And of course, the medical treatment was probably at an emergency room, since
they probably frequently occur on weekends when the doctors offices are closed, or the people affected panic. Most people who break a bone do not proceed to their doctors office first but to the emergency room.
PS – I just adopted my second rescue toy poodle. Licensed, spayed, immunized and in the process of being trained properly. There are a lot of us out here “cleaning up” after the people who buy something cute and four months later don’t want to deal with the responsibility.
Gary is right-how many new employees to administer this program, what will it ultimately cost tax payers, etc. While the tragedy that serves as a catalyst for it shouldn’t have happened, the answer isn’t more laws that won’t be enforced. Besides, I thought you got one free bite on your homeowner’s coverage (I handle surety, so if I’m wrong, I’m not a hazard to the public!).
Posted By: gARY
Comment:
More Bureaucratic B.S. Some of these politicians should step into the REAL world once in a while
It is not always the pet owners what about the parents?? the children?? There is to much irresponsibility in this world where is the common sense? Everyone thinks pet owners or breed when they hear dog bite but this is not always the case…although most states legally make it that way. And so hear we go again…why can’t the courts look at the reason for the bite and assess damages as necessary not always blame the owner/breed. Alot of bites could be prevented by taking precautions and using common sense on both sides. I’m sorry about Elijah but lets as a whole become more responsible and not try and blame everyone else. There has to be a better way.
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. If an animal is going to bite & medical expenses are going to incur, putting another law in force, or adding extra insurance expense burden to a homeowner is not going to prevent this.
I have been in the insurance business for over 30 years. This is definately something I would NOT want to burden my insureds with. I am also a homeowner and a pet owner. Any breed of dog can be taught to be aggressive and any breed that is raised with kindness can be a wonderful family pet. A dog that wonders freely, roams the streets or is a stray, will not have anyone in charge of them that will follow the laws set forth by yet another lawmaker. Further more, if someone is going to be bit by an animal, whether there is an insurance policy in force or not, they will have to seek medical attention. Someone will have to explain to me how such a law to insurance dogs will cut down on medical expense.
I was at one time, bitten by a dog myself. I have to tell you that I accepted the responsibility of my own actions. If you or your child is going to approach an animal that is unknown to you, then you have to accept what may or may not happen. No law, insurance policy, or law maker can prevent poor judgement, or a lack of responsibility.
This law serves no purpose except to add burden to the responsible homeowner, or dog owner.
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I must say first that i am sorry for what happened to Elijah, it was a terrible thing. Bu ti must say that this bill should not be passed, There are many people who have a number of dogs, like myself i have 8, what this bill will do if passed is have many owners give up their dogs to the shelters because they cannot afford the insurance, now what will this do, not only hurt the people who love their animals so much, but it will also crowd all the shelters and millions or should i say billions will be put to death. There is such a thing called SOCIAL SERVICES which helps people who cannot afford insurance for themselves, If Elijah did not have any insurance or any dog bite for that matter, i am sure they can get help from the state. My breed is Rottweilers, all of my dogs are Canine Good Citizens, Temperment tested and also most important THERAPY DOGS, my dogs go into hospitals to make sick people happy, make a child who hasn’t spoke for some time utter some words. I think this bill will cause more problems for the pets and their owners, especially the owners that care, the ones that don’t won’t get the insurance to begin with, and they will be the ones to get away with it by hiding their dogs in their homes. I hope many people will stand against this LAW, there is such a thing as a court system, it may not be perfect but this is the place to get help for compensation on medical bills from the careless person who let their dog bite a child or an adult.
Ditto Gary’s comments…and where can I get a “Beware of Dangerous Dog” sign for my maltese??
I agree with Nancy. This law would probably not solve the problem as “problem” owners would not buy the required insurance. Also, it is very subjective. Typical”problem breeds” such as german shepards, rottweilers, pit bulls, etc may never bite yet they get all of the blame and their owners would be required to carry insurance. Small dogs also bite, probably more frequently too. I understand the damage would be greater with a large dog but why do we have to single out a particular breed and charge more for one than another?
I can just see it now- underwritingthe liability on a dog. They can set up various rate classes, by breed, weight, and model year! The dog would have to wear a mini-license plate around it’s neck. Oh yes, I forgot to mention the garage/living location of the dog. And what about other household animals- gerbels, hamsters, guina pigs etc.. How about the snakes people keep, alligators and more.
I know, CNA can write the insurance as it will then give them another class of business to retir from in a year or so.
This would never happen here. In San Francisco the dogs would have to buy the insurance themselves, since there are no “dog owners” to be held liable. In SF there are only “pet caregivers”.
Sandy,
I also have a chihuahua (tea cup 4 1/2 lbs) I also have a 60 lb dobbie mix. Guess which one bit me last evening – luckily he is older and only has a few of his teeth. Before these 2 I had a rotweiler/shepherd mix – all are great dogs – even the chi. When we spend time in the back yard, the dobbie covers 20 times as much ground running as does the chi. Does that mean I get a pleasure rate for the chi and a distant commute rate for the dobbie?
I’m guessing that Assemblyman Rivera is not, nor ever has been, a dog owner. Were he one, he would be aware that some Dobermans and Rottweilers are the nicest and, having been properly trained, the best behaved animals, although they are considered “high risk” breeds. He would also know that some “cutesy” breeds like terriers and toy poodles can be some of the most aggressive little biters. What’s the difference? The owners. There are responsible and irresponsible pet owners, just as there are responsible and irresponsible parents.
Regarding the proposal “would permit legal action”, if there’s anything PREVENTING legal action here in NY state, I don’t know what it is.
Also, the “research behind the bill” doesn’t indicate whether the “37% increase in the last 10 years” is reflecting NY state specific numbers or a nationwide increase. And of course, the medical treatment was probably at an emergency room, since
they probably frequently occur on weekends when the doctors offices are closed, or the people affected panic. Most people who break a bone do not proceed to their doctors office first but to the emergency room.
PS – I just adopted my second rescue toy poodle. Licensed, spayed, immunized and in the process of being trained properly. There are a lot of us out here “cleaning up” after the people who buy something cute and four months later don’t want to deal with the responsibility.
Gary is right-how many new employees to administer this program, what will it ultimately cost tax payers, etc. While the tragedy that serves as a catalyst for it shouldn’t have happened, the answer isn’t more laws that won’t be enforced. Besides, I thought you got one free bite on your homeowner’s coverage (I handle surety, so if I’m wrong, I’m not a hazard to the public!).
Posted By: gARY
Comment:
More Bureaucratic B.S. Some of these politicians should step into the REAL world once in a while
It is not always the pet owners what about the parents?? the children?? There is to much irresponsibility in this world where is the common sense? Everyone thinks pet owners or breed when they hear dog bite but this is not always the case…although most states legally make it that way. And so hear we go again…why can’t the courts look at the reason for the bite and assess damages as necessary not always blame the owner/breed. Alot of bites could be prevented by taking precautions and using common sense on both sides. I’m sorry about Elijah but lets as a whole become more responsible and not try and blame everyone else. There has to be a better way.
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. If an animal is going to bite & medical expenses are going to incur, putting another law in force, or adding extra insurance expense burden to a homeowner is not going to prevent this.
I have been in the insurance business for over 30 years. This is definately something I would NOT want to burden my insureds with. I am also a homeowner and a pet owner. Any breed of dog can be taught to be aggressive and any breed that is raised with kindness can be a wonderful family pet. A dog that wonders freely, roams the streets or is a stray, will not have anyone in charge of them that will follow the laws set forth by yet another lawmaker. Further more, if someone is going to be bit by an animal, whether there is an insurance policy in force or not, they will have to seek medical attention. Someone will have to explain to me how such a law to insurance dogs will cut down on medical expense.
I was at one time, bitten by a dog myself. I have to tell you that I accepted the responsibility of my own actions. If you or your child is going to approach an animal that is unknown to you, then you have to accept what may or may not happen. No law, insurance policy, or law maker can prevent poor judgement, or a lack of responsibility.
This law serves no purpose except to add burden to the responsible homeowner, or dog owner.