[ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC<>SUPPORT MASSACHUSETTS BILL TO ELIMINATE BREED-SPECIFIC BANS IN INSURANCE POLICIES!

From: Hope Stormy <stormy435@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Show GSD <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 12:32:22 -0700
  From: "AKC's Government Relations Department" <mba@xxxxxxx
  Date: September 8, 2011 11:06:00 AM PDT
  Subject: SUPPORT MASSACHUSETTS BILL TO ELIMINATE BREED-SPECIFIC BANS  
IN INSURANCE POLICIES!




  Thursday September 8, 2011

  http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4477

  The American Kennel Club (AKC) has learned that Massachusetts House  
Bill 2054 will be heard by the Joint Committee on Financial Services  
on Tuesday, September 13. The bill seeks to prohibit insurance  
companies from refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or charge an  
increased rate for homeowners? insurance based on the breed of dog  
owned by the policy holder. Both the American Kennel Club and the  
Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners  
support HB 2054.

  Summary:

  As introduced, House Bill 2054 prohibits insurance companies from  
refusing to issue or renew, cancelling, or charging an increased rate  
for homeowners? insurance policies based on the breed owned. The bill  
does allow for insurance companies to take these actions if the dog  
has been declared dangerous based on current law. Additionally, all  
dog bite/attack cases that result in medical treatment must be  
reported within 60 days of the incident to the state?s Department of  
Public Health (DPH), which will compile statistics on the issue.  
Insurers will be released from liability for paying for damages if  
owners fail to report a qualifying incident within 60 days.


  Position:

  The American Kennel Club believes that insurance companies should  
determine coverage of a dog-owning household based on the dog?s deeds,  
not the dog?s breed. If a dog is a well-behaved member of the  
household and the community, there is no reason to deny or cancel  
coverage. In fact, insurance companies should consider a dog an asset,  
a natural alarm system whose bark may deter intruders and prevent  
potential theft.

  The American Kennel Club supports House Bill 2054 as introduced.

  What You Can Do:

  Contact the members of the Joint Committee on Financial Services and  
express your strong support of HB 2054. (For talking points against  
breed-specific legislation and practices, click here.)

  Senate Members:

  Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Senate Chair

  Phone: 617-722-1634

  Fax: 617-722-1076

  Email: Anthony.Petruccelli@xxxxxxxxxxxx


  Senator Brian A. Joyce, Senate Vice Chair

  Phone: 617-722-1643

  Fax: 617-722-1522

  Email: Brian.A.Joyce@xxxxxxxxxxxx


  Senator Michael J. Rodrigues

  Phone: 617-722-1114

  Fax: 617-722-1498

  Email: Michael.Rodrigues@xxxxxxxxxxxx


  Senator John F. Keenan

  Phone: 617-722-1494

  Fax: 617-722-1055

  Email: John.Keenan@xxxxxxxxxxxx


  Senator Gale D. Candaras

  Phone: 617-722-1291

  Fax: 617-722-1014

  Email: Gale.Candaras@xxxxxxxxxxxx


  Senator Michael R. Knapik

  Phone: 617-722-1415

  Fax: 617-722-1506

  Email: Michael.Knapik@xxxxxxxxxxxx


  House Members:


  Representative Michael A. Costello, House Chair

  Phone: 617-722-2220

  Fax: 617-722-2846

  Email: Michael.Costello@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative Carlo P. Basile, House Vice Chair

  Phone: 617-722-2220

  Fax: 617-626-0736

  Email: Carlo.Basile@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative Christopher G. Fallon

  Phone: 617-722-2430

  Fax: 617-722-2436

  Email: Christopher.Fallon@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative Lori A. Ehrlich

  Phone: 617-722-2014

  Email: Lori.Ehrlich@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative James J. Dwyer

  Phone: 617-722-2220

  Fax: 617-626-0831

  Email: James.Dwyer@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative Russell E. Holmes

  Phone: 617-722-2220

  Fax: 617-626-0205

  Email: Russell.Holmes@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative Marc T. Lombardo

  Phone: 617-722-2460

  Fax: 617-626-0240

  Email: Marc.Lombardo@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative Kevin J. Murphy

  Phone: 617-722-2877

  Fax: 617-626-0514

  Email: Kevin.Murphy@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative James M. Cantwell

  Phone: 617-722-2140

  Fax: 617-626-0835

  Email: James.Cantwell@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative Timothy R. Madden

  Phone: 617-722-2810

  Fax: 617-722-2846

  Email: Timothy.Madden@xxxxxxxxxxx


  Representative Nicholas A. Boldyga

  Phone: 617-722-2810

  Fax: 617-626-0137

  Email: Nicholas.Boldyga@xxxxxxxxxxx


  For more information, contact AKC?s Government Relations Department  
at 919-816-3720, or email doglaw@xxxxxxx; or the Massachusetts  
Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible dog Owners at info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
.



  The American Kennel Club, 8051 Arco Corporate Dr. Suite 100,  
Raleigh, NC 27617 United States
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[ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC<>SUPPORT MASSACHUSETTS BILL TO ELIMINATE BREED-SPECIFIC BANS IN INSURANCE POLICIES!

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