Proposal Would Require You to Buy Insurance–On Your Dog!

San Antonio lawmaker says owners must take responsibility for dogs

By Jim Forsyth http://radio.woai.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=119078&article=8161220
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.

McClendon’s proposal sparked a quick response from groups that represent dog owners. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance called it ‘ridiculous.’

“Why male dogs only?” Alliance spokesman Jeremy Rice asked. “Why dogs 20 pounds and not 17? Why only unaltered dogs?”

McClendon says the reason for the restrictions is based on the observations of animal care officials who have told her that these types of dogs are the most likely to cause injury or property damage.