The trouble with Fido...

Home Insurance for Dog Owners

Many homes have at least one dog, some have two or three.  Would you give up your family pet to help keep an insurance policy in force?

That's a decision that a lot of people may be faced with, especially if the dog has bitten someone. Several court cases have been publicized that a dog owner is "absolutely" liable if the dog bites someone. It does not matter if the dog was provoked, or was tied up in his yard, or playing with children.

Many companies are grappling with ways to deal with dog-bite liability. Some are more forgiving than others. Some companies have a list of breeds, compiled from their own claims experience, of dogs they simply will not insure homes for. Some companies have questionnaires, and will only accept dogs that have been spayed or neutered, have had special obedience training, and have no bite history. Some carriers specifically exclude any dog liability from coverage at all.

Media exposure and jury awards plays a large part in determining if you have a "bad" dog. Pit bulls, Presa Canarios, Rottweillers and German Shepherds are taking the brunt of the blame, but any dog will bite if provoked. They can't speak the language of humans, and they don't generally use their paws as hands. So, they they can only bark to tell you to stop or go away, and they can only push you away with their bodies. When that fails, instinct tells them to attack to defend themselves. The only thing they have to defend themselves is their teeth. 

Some dogs are more patient than others. Dogs that have been abused are much more likely to become afraid and snap at someone. Some dogs are very protective of their humans, especially children. Some dogs bite to protect their territory, or to establish dominance over the person being bitten. The Center for Disease Control estimates there are about 4.7 billion dog bites a year, just in the US. In 2001, the insurance industry paid out about $310 million in dog liability claims alone.

In general, it makes sense to be responsible for your pet. getting your pet used to other people and animals is important. Be familiar with what upsets your pet. Train it to obey your commands. It's very important to leash your dog when out walking. Teach approaching people how to pet your dog. And if your dog shows aggression to another person or animal, make every effort to remove the dog from the upsetting situation. Keep your dog healthy-if your dog is in pain, it will be more likely to lash out.

Keep your dog inside, or fenced in at night. With many more acres of land being built on and developed, wild predators are running out of room to live and hunt, especially in suburban areas. In cities, there really are people that breed fighting dogs, and when they have no more use for the dog, they either kill it, torture it, or abandon it in another part of town. These dogs are especially dangerous, because they have been taught to kill.

If you think a dog may attack, the following advice is easier said than done. Never scream and run away-it is the dog's natural instinct to run after you and catch you. Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact. Eventually, he will lose interest in you, and wander away. Back away slowly until he is out of sight. If the dog does attack, "feed" him your jacket, purse, bicycle or anything you can put between you and the dog. If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball, and cover your face with your hands. Try not to scream or roll around.

If you are bitten, immediately wash the wound with soap and water. Contact your physician for more advice. You may need a tetanus shot, and the dog will need to be quarantined to check for rabies. Contact your local animal control officer to report the incident. If you know the dog, give all information that you know about him, including who owns him. If the dog is a stray, be able to describe what the dog looks like, where you saw him and in which direction he went.

Just as we teach children safety in other situations, we can teach and learn safety around dogs. The most important lessons are not to chase or tease dogs, and avoid dogs you don't know.