Some rewards come at too high a price

From Reuters is the story of a Labrador retriever that won an unusual award.

Read the story here.

Elie, the pooch, ate a beehive containing dead bees and pesticides was recognized as the most unusual pet health insurance claim in the United States.

The winner was selected from a dozen pets nationwide and was announced by the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.

"Ellie may be a young dog, but she's already managed to eat everything from wooden toy train tracks to laptop computer keys," said the VPI. "So the beehive in the backyard was just another culinary adventure for this insatiable pooch."

She beat a border collie that ran through a window to get to a mailman and a terrier that bit a chainsaw.

Is insurance the best way to counter dog attacks?

The British government is weighing whether to mandate dog owners taking out insurance against pet attacks.

See this article from Postonline.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the BBC: "There is a lot of public concern about dog attacks, including the recent tragic deaths of young children, and about the rise in the number of so-called status dogs used to intimidate or threaten people.

"This is a serious issue of public safety. The government wants to hear what people think about the law as it stands and what more we might do to protect people from dangerous dogs."

The government would have to amend the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act to include compulsory third-party insurance to make certain dog attack victims are compensated.

What do you think of this idea?

You're in good paws ...

Now here's a good idea.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies has added pet injury coverage to policies with collision coverage — at no additional cost.

It will pay up to $500 if a customer's dog or cat is hurt or dies in a car accident.

While it is not yet available in North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire — and New York! — the pet injury insurance is available in the other 46 states and the District of Columbia.