Thanks to Chris for forwarding me this article:
Proposal Would Require You to Buy Insurance--On Your Dog!
San Antonio lawmaker says owners must take responsibility for dogs
Friday, February 11, 2011
Motorists are already required to carry auto insurance in Texas, the new health care bill requires that every American carry health insurance, and now there's a new mandate in the works---dog insurance.
State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio) has introduced a bill that would require any Texan who owns a male dog which weighs 20 pounds or more and is not neutered to have an insurance policy covering injuries or damage caused by that dog when it is off the leash or out of the dog's yard, 1200 WOAI's Michael Board reports.
"Unrestrained un-neutered male dogs over 20 pounds have a higher tendency toward aggression," McClendon said.
Now I am ALL for responsible pet ownership. But I am not for MORE governmental control of our lives, regulations and attempts to enforce morals, ethics and responsibility. You cannot legislate good behavior. Sorry. You can educate people.
As someone who has experience with aggressive dogs AND cats (as well as other animals), I can tell you that:
1. There is not one sex/breed/size that is NOT able to do damage. This is akin to the desire of some to BAN Pit Bulls - they obviously have not encountered too many cockers, Chows, Huskies, chihuahuas..need I go on? (and yes for owners of these dogs - I have seen nice ones too but there is a high incidence of biting and aggression in them too!).
2. Un-neutered male dogs have a higher incidence of getting hit by cars b/c they want to "roam" for females - should we ban cars or not allow dogs to live within so many feet of a busy road? See how ridiculous this is?
3. Here's the key reason: McClendon says the measure was based on a tragic incident that happened to one of her constituents in her East San Antonio district, who was attacked by a neighbor's dog.
ON...A...SINGLE tragic incident. I've seen many cases where a dog or dogs has attacked another. In those cases, the owner of the attacking dog has either paid for the veterinary care or was forced to legally. It's not that there aren't already laws and ways to make THAT happen. For cases of chronically aggressive dogs there are already things that can and are done. It's probably easier to deal with them than some wacked out human that hurts people but gets to be given labels to give them an excuse.
4. I'd rather people get pet insurance to take CARE of their pets which, by the way, isn't even good for ALL situations. It's an individual's choice based on money, lifestyle of pets/people and what plans are available for them.
5. This will absolutely NOT stop the problem which, by the way, is not some epidemic sweeping the country. Personal responsibility does not come from the law, it comes from the family values and morals that a person is raised with.
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