Montana Ordinance Requires Insurance for ‘Aggressive’ Dogs

The White Sulphur Springs, Mont., city council has passed an insurance requirement for the owners of certain breeds of dogs with reputations for aggressive behaviors.

The ordinance requires owners of pit bulls, Doberman pinschers and Rottweilers to purchase $500,000 in liability insurance, regardless of whether the animal has shown aggressive behavior.

Owners of other dogs would be subject to the insurance requirement if their animal bites a person or acts aggressively without provocation.

City Councilman Heith Stidham said the ordinance is meant to hold owners responsible for the medical bills if someone is attacked by a dog.

People who had pit bulls, Dobermans and Rottweilers in White Sulphur Springs before the ordinance passed on June 17 are not subject to the insurance requirement.