Discrimination

[julesluvsdrew]

I just feel that I need to vent on here!!!!!!!!We are renters and are trying to find a place by Dec 1.It is almost harder then digging for gold!!!!!!!!!!!!I was told by a housing management place that the majority will not place people in a house if they have a pitt bull(or anything similar),also no rotts,or dobermans,I forgot the other ones she said.We have one pittbull and the other is mixed with pitt.I honestly am not sure what were going to do..these are our children so getting "rid"of them is NOT an option.I just find it so disheartening that insurance companies make it impossible for people who rent out their homes to afford having those types of breeds...Also the stigma that comes along with that type of animal is so awful and is such discrimination.People need to educate themselves and others..Who else on here has gone through something similar?

[AndiJ78]

As much as it stinks, they have a reputation and it is well-earned in some instances. Unfortunately, I see far more pitt owners that fit the profile of irresponsible owners than don't. I do disagree with some of the other breeds on the list, but I own a border collie/lab cross, which is not on any list so my homeowners insurance was not impacted.

I have seen plenty of stories where other breeds have been at the center of a dog bite controversy, but the stats indicate the likelihood of a fatality is higher with pitbulls and some of the other breeds on the list.

My in-laws are literally surrounded by pitbulls and I can honestly say not one is well-mannered or well-trained. They are overtly aggressive and very territorial. I do not allow my children anywhere near the fences or near the dogs...period. I know it is my responsibility to protect my child as well.

Here are some interesting stories:

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html

I think if you carry the additional liability insurance for your "dangerous" breed, you should be allowed to rent somewhere that would allow other dogs. If you don't, it is completely acceptable for a person to deny you. They can be held responsible if something happens. I would not want that liability either.

[andie5]

I understand you...where I live, the "bully" breeds are banned unless you were grandfathered in. It is terrible b/c all the cities just got on a roll and were like, "We don't want 'em in our city, so let's ban them too..." So now, if I want to move, I have no choice but to move to the country, because my baby is banned in every surrounding city. I was also forced to neuter and microchip him (which I was going to do anyway--maybe not the mircrochipping). We tried to fight it, but that fear gets ahold of people and they just act irrationally. I can't imagine trying to find a place to rent with mine (I have 4 dogs (all huge) and 3 cats). I hate the stigma too...I have had people pet mine and then when they ask what he is, I don't want to answer b/c when I do, they get afraid all of a sudden...he didn't change instantly into a vicious dog! I usually just say American Staffordshire, b/c many don't know that breed by anything other than Pit Bull.

[jenntanis]

We had the same problem a few years ago when we were trying to rent.  I have a beagle/chow mix, who looks and acts all beagle.  When we went to one of the places, they said that because she had any chow in her, they would not rent to us.  Chows can bite children, they said.  Well, my dog is mostly afraid of children, and wouldn't hurt a fly (so much for my watchdog).  We ended up buying a condo instead, but even the condo association had a weight restriction of like 25 lbs.  My dog is 40 lbs, but no one ever questioned us, and all of our neighbors loved our dog.  Most of the time, they said they didn't even know she was there, because she doesn't bark all that often.  When we sold it, we told the next owner that there is a weight restriction, but no one checks, and we just told him to be smart if he was getting a dog.

[julesluvsdrew]

Gosh when we were trying to buy a house recently,we located insurance (statefarm)which was cheap and would insure pit bulls!!!!!!!!!They are a blessing,I wish everyone could be insured by them:)

[sk123]

I know how you feel. I rent because no one can afford to buy here in San Francisco. And there are no vacancies even for rentals, so as a dog owner with two LARGE dogs (75 pounds each), no one will even talk to me. There are just too many people without dogs or children to fill all the empty slots for landlords to even consider us.

[babygirl6152]

not only a higher premium but I am a home owner and my insurance flat out said that they would NOT insure us with chow mix even- and my husband always said it was a mix-  I didn't lie we are mr and mrs honest injun over here- :-) but my husband told me it was not a chow but german shepherd mix/ got it all straightened out

I know it's hard/ even for owners

[Jaybay]

In many cases, the homeowner must pay higher insurance premiums if the dog is a "dangerous" breed.  Not fair, but that's the way it is.  Many owners find it simpler to just avoid the situation altogether.  When you fill out the application, just put down "mixed breed" and try to get around it that way.

It's sometimes difficult to find any rental home that will allow pets at all.  Down here in the South, it's fleas that are the big issue.  I can't tell you how many homes I've been in that were completely infested - rental or not.  All you can do is keep on trying.  That, and be prepared to pay a big pet deposit.  :-)

[peekawho]

I know exactly how you feel!  Try having 2 dobes and a great dane...we had to sort of  lie.  (I know, I know...horrible, but we would be living in the streets if we didn't).

We put on the application that we had 2 dogs.  Under breed, we put "black and brownish looking".  Weight?  "about 50 pounds" (they are really about 60 #).

The dane...we just didn't mention him.  The landlord has actually seen them all at the house during the past 2 years and has never said a word.  Not a word.  I guess its because we pay our rent on time and have never given him a peep of trouble.  

[ne55]

hi

I can relate to what you are saying its a shame these dogs have a bad rep..(mainly caused by bad owners !!!) not the breed itself... everydog has the potential to be dangerous just watch one of cesar milans shows (most of his dogs are pitbulls !!) but I dont think just anyone can own these breeds either...thats what got the breed a bad rep in the first place.. anyway regarding the renting have you got previous references from previous rentals , if you do! and there all good... it is discrimination..!  Most rentals here  prefer tenants with dogs there reasoning for that is damage done by dogs is cheaper than damage done by kids/teenagers and they get a pet bond but no children bond..so if any damage they can dip into the pet bond for repairs... (but trying to prove its going on ..no chance)
We got sick of renting and having to abide by there rules (no dogs inside!!!) so we ended up buying a house, best thing we ever did! We dont have alot of spare cash as most of it goes on the mortgage but its worth every penny(freedom)..
Anyway ill stop chewing your ear off..
good luck on your house hunting , hopefully you find a dogloving landlord..
cheers
ne55