AR-News: NY Dog Liability Insurance Bill----AKC Newsletter On

[DTanzer16 at aol.com]

Forwarded Message:

URGENT! Help Needed NOW From NY Dog Owners 
[Tuesday, April 20, 2004] 

Immediate help is needed from all New York dog owners to help oppose 
Assemblyman Peter Rivera’s A10169. This overly restrictive bill: 

Requires every dog owner to obtain liability insurance for their pet, 
regardless of past behavior.


Allows the Agriculture Commissioner to determine certain breeds of dogs as “
dangerous” based on bite statistics. Further authorizes municipalities to 
regulate the care and control of dangerous breeds, thereby violating existing New 
York State law that prohibits such activity.


Permits insurance companies to charge higher premiums for dangerous breeds. 


Requires owners to show proof of insurance when obtaining a license for their 
dog, upon which they will receive an orange tag that their pet must wear at 
all times. 


Authorizes impoundment of uninsured dogs. Owners will have ten days to claim 
their animal, obtain insurance, and pay $15 per day for impoundment fees. 
Those who do not comply will be forced to relinquish their dog.


Owners who do not license or insure their dogs will face fines beginning at 
$100. 
A10169 additionally requires any person or entity who sells or offers for 
adoption four or more dogs in one year to: 
Inform new dog owners about licensing and insurance requirements. 
Obtain proof of licensing and insurance prior to transfer of the animal. 
Post a listing of breeds deemed dangerous by the Commissioner. 
Violators will face penalties of $250.

The AKC opposes this bill because when properly enforced, New York’s existing 
dangerous dog law effectively addresses those who are irresponsible with 
their pets. A10169 will not make owners more responsible, nor will it prompt 
reckless owners to suddenly comply with new laws. At the same time, A10169 unfairly 
punishes responsible dog owners and may make it cost-prohibitive for many of 
those owners to keep their pets. Rather than promote responsible dog 
ownership, as public education can, A10169 may actually encourage some dog owners to 
abandon their pets rather than go through the hassle and expense of complying 
with requirements.

This state-mandated program will be extremely costly, time–consuming and 
difficult for authorities to enforce. It also places undue burden on responsible 
sellers and rescue groups. 

The AKC has further concerns about permitting certain breeds to be determined 
dangerous by the Agriculture Commissioner. We strongly support reasonable 
dangerous dog legislation and believe that communities should establish a 
well-defined procedure for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous. However, in 
order to be effective, such legislation should not single out specific breeds or 
phenotypic classes of dogs. Deeds, not breeds, must be addressed.

What You Can Do: 
A10169 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture. New York 
dog owners should immediately contact the committee members and urge them to 
oppose this bill. To view a copy of AKC's letter to the Agriculture Committee, 
click here. 
Assembly Committee on Agriculture 
Legislative Office Bldg #641
Albany, NY 12248
Phone:518/455-4807

Asm. William Magee (D) [Chair]
Asm. Darrel J. Aubertine (D)
Asm. Marc W. Butler (R)
Asm. Adele Cohen (D)
Asm. Michael Cohen (D) (e-mail address not available)
Asm. Clifford W. Crouch (R)
Asm. Steven Cymbrowitz (D)
Asm. Francine DelMonte (D)
Asm. RoAnn M. Destito (D)
Asm. Steve Englebright (D)
Asm. Jacob E. Gunther (D)
Asm. Daniel L. Hooker (R)
Asm. Jeffrey Klein (D)
Asm. Barbara S. Lifton (D)
Asm. Patrick R. Manning (R)
Asm. Margaret M. Markey (D)
Asm. Roy J. McDonald (R)
Asm. John J. McEneny (D)
Asm. Peter M. Rivera (D) [Sponsor]
Asm. Richard A. Smith (D)
Asm. Paul D. Tonko (D)

For more information, contact:

Responsible Dog Owners Association of NY
lettis at webtv.net 

Long Island Coalition of Dog Fanciers
sutops at aol.com, cia456 at optonline.net

AKC’s Canine Legislation department
919-816-3720
doglaw at akc.org  
  

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2072

 
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