Yesterday, the Arizona Legislature sent a bill to the governor that would be the first step in preventing insurance companies from discriminating based on the breed of dog owned by the policy holder.
Arizona residents are encouraged to contact Governor Ducey and ask him to sign House Bill 2323. Use the online form to submit comments to the governor’s office.
Summary:
As amended by the Senate, House Bill 2323 states that for the purposes of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, the breed of dog may not be the sole consideration for:
- Determining risk, liability, actual or potential losses, or any other matter relating to claims involving dogs on the premises.
- Surveys and other means of gathering information regarding ownership, possession, or presence of a dog on the premises.
In addition, the breed of dog may not be considered in findings by legal decisionmakers regarding whether a dog is vicious or dangerous.
AKC joined a broad group of organizations who had an interest in protecting the rights of Arizona dog owners. Arizona law already prohibits municipalities from enacting laws based solely on a dog’s breed. House Bill 2323 is a first step in extending this law to protect dog owners seeking renters or homeowners insurance in the state.
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor all bills impacting Arizona dog owners. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.