They're man's best friend, but insurance agencies in the state of Massachusetts make it hard for dog owners to find homes. Insurance agencies refuse to offer coverage to hoe owners if they lease to pet owners of the following breeds. 

Akitas
Alaskan Malamutes
Cane Corso
Chows
Bulldogs
German Shepards
Great Dane's
Pitt Bulls
Rottweilers
Siberian Huskies
Terriers
Wolf Hybrids

The reason state is "aggressive tendencies." But I challenge that statement. Lots of these dogs have gotten bad raps because of their exploitation by humans to perform in a certain way such as Rottweilers and Pitbulls. It is inaccurate to say that a certain breed of dog is inherently aggressive.

As it currently stands, if a dog of any of these breeds bites or otherwise harms an individual on the property, it falls back on the homeowner. I think we can all agree that this is discrimination considering the fact that the insurance will cover pets of any other breed for the same offense. My pitbull has never bit a person, but he is not more likely to bite anyone than my neighbors Chihuahua, or my friend's Australian Shepard.

This means that landlords across the state usually will not lease to otherwise viable candidates because of their pets. As renters, there are no options to purchase additional supplementary, or individual coverage for your dog. Many renters are willing to pay out of pocket to protect the homeowners, but the law doesn't allow it.

There is a housing crisis happening in our state right now and many individuals will be forced to move into run-down apartment units (the only places in Mass that accept dogs without discrimination), give up their best friend to a shelter, be homeless, or move out of state. I wish I was kidding but this is literally the situation that so many people I know are in right now even myself! 

Many responsible pet owners want their best friends to have yards. We don't want to live in buildings with 400 other people, where you have to take an elevator 4 times a day to take the dog out. Many of us have pets for emotional support, even if they are not legally registered as such, they provide the same support. This type of discrimination needs to be eliminated to ensure that pet, and pet owners in our state have reasonable accommodations and options for housing.


My petition is to

A.) Abolish the pet discrimination clause and the list of "aggressive breeds" altogether from insurance companies underwriting abilities.
(So landlords are covered)
and/or
B.) Structure acceptable* and accessible** forms of pet incidental insurance coverage for renters and homeowners.
(So that home owners and renters are ABLE to have coverage if they choose or require it)


*No liability on home owners, only pet owner
**Affordable as to not gatekeep and further perpetuate the issue.