The Humane Society of the United States has documented an increase in the number of people being denied insurance because they own certain breeds of dog.

As a result, the Society has started collecting data through the Internet, in the hopes of eventually convincing the insurance industry that there are alternatives to the current practice and that it must stop.

To achieve their goal, the HSUS and the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have created a joint grassroots campaign designed to educate the insurance industry.

There are other examples where a person's ownership of a particular breed of dog can have negative consequences. Families seeking to adopt children can face roadblocks if they own dogs that belong to certain breeds. In Massachusetts, the Adoption and Foster Care Unit of the Department of Social Services will not place children in homes with certain breeds of dog.

The state relied upon data provided by the insurance industry when it made its decision to discriminate based on breed. Some airlines also practice breed discrimination by prohibiting some dogs from flying, even though they are stored in cargo and in a closed carrier.

http://www.animallaw.info/articles/arus11conninslj1.htm

Homeowners' Insurance Resource Center

Did you know that in most states it is legal for insurance companies to charge homeowners higher premiums or refuse to renew a policy based solely on the owner's breed of dog? Surprising as it may sound, more and more dog owners are being told they will be dropped by their insurance carrier if they refuse to give up their dog, even if they are long-time customers and their dog has never bitten or attacked anyone.

So what's a responsible dog owner to do? The Canine Legislation department has compiled the following resources to assist you in your efforts to find insurance.

http://www.akc.org/insurance/homeowners_inscenter.cfm