New York state has prohibited homeowners insurance providers from refusing coverage to applicants based on the dog breed they own.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation in October, the Times Union reports. Companies previously had the right to decline coverage to homeowners based on their ownership of breeds such as pit bulls, Doberman pinschers and German shepherds.
Animal advocates were quoted praising the legislation. They said the breeds had previously been unfairly singled out.
“Removing this arbitrary and discriminatory impediment for thousands of responsible New York dog owners is simply the right thing to do,” said Bill Ketzer, senior director of state legislation for the ASPCA: Eastern Division.
Libby Post, executive director of the NYS Animal Protection Federation, said rejecting homeowners based on the breed they own is “not fair to the animals and not fair to the homeowners who want to give their pets loving homes,” according to the Times Union.
Read more at the Times Union