Lucky My Pit Bull Mix and Breed Discrimination

I never planned on adopting a pit bull. It's not that I disliked them. I had never had contact with the breed. I rescued Catahoula Leopard Dogs and I loved that breed. However, last summer I was really considering getting a "pocket dog". At the time, I had a young adult full bred Catahoula male and an older Catahoula/Australian Cattle Dog female. Both were dogs I had rescued, fostered and subsequently adopted. In July 2010, we went to our annual vacation ranch. Friends, who vacation at the same time with us each year, brought their 4 Yorkies. I mentioned that I wanted a pocket dog so we all drove off to the pound to find a small dog.

Once we were at the pound, I saw the one small dog they had and it did not "click" with me. I made the mistake of going back into the kennels to look at the other dogs. And there he was....the cutest pup I had ever seen in my life. I asked to take him out. They brought out this skinny, brindle puppy with an obviously bad leg. He sat on my feet and looked up at me and I knew I would have to bring him home. Animal Control had picked him up the week before. His knee was swollen and hot. The very kind people at the pound let me take the dog to the vet before adopting him so that I could find out what treatment was necessary for the leg. Sadly, the vet said the leg was broken in 3 places and could not be repaired. The best chance for the dog was an amputation. At this point, I havent even adopted the dog and I am crying in the vet's office.

This veterinarian went out of her way for us. She found another local vet that would do the amputation, she found a charity that would pay for half the surgery fees, and we set it up. The puppy then became "Lucky". Lucky and I went back to the pound to complete the adoption. The pound waived all his adoption fees. We then drove to the veterinary hospital for the amputation. Lucky had surgery on a Friday and Saturday morning, we picked him up and drove through 3 states with him in a laundry basket until we got home.

Lucky is a mixed breed. We do not know what he is but he looks like he is pit bull and great dane. He may be mixed with more breeds. He is a wonderful dog. He healed quickly from his amputation. At this point, he doesnt even know he is not like other dogs. Actually, I dont think he thinks he is a dog. He is "the cutest baby".

Lucky is a typical puppy. He chews everything he can. His favorite thing to chew is wood. He takes logs off my fireplace pile and chews them up. He runs. He plays. He mouths, like all puppies do. He knows some basic commands: sit, down, drop, no mouth. He can also peel an orange and eat the inside only. That amazes my entire family.

A few weeks ago, my homeowners insurance company sent a surveyor to look at the outside of the house. My insurance agent then calls me and tells me that the surveyor heard a dog bark and asked if I had a dog. I told the agent that I do have a dog. The agent asked me what breed of dog it is and I stated that it was a mutt, a mixed breed with 3 legs. She asked for more specifics and I stated I wasnt sure but maybe a great dane, pit, etc. That honesty was my downfall. The agent told me that they could not insure homes with pit bulls. She stated that she would contact the underwriter and get back to me but that I might have to "get rid of" my dog. I again stated that he is a mixed breed dog with 3 legs and I have a 5 foot fenced yard.

A week later, I received a letter from my insurance company. My policy will be cancelled on June 1. (I have never even filed a claim with this agency.) I am appalled at the flagrant discrimination against the pit bull breed. This is the sweetest dog in the world. He obeys my 4 year old. My old female alpha dog has taught Lucky well. So, I have to find a new insurance company. Everything is computerized and interconnected. Will the new company know that I have been cancelled? Am I uninsurable because of my dog? If not, how high will my rates go?