Dogsey

For the second time in five months, a blind man has had passage for his guide dog refused by a taxi driver. The first incident in January resulted in the driver for Gary's Taxis in Letchworth, Herts receiving a caution after a disciplinary hearing. (See the story here: http://www.dogsey.com/dog-news.php?t=166372 ). The latest incident involved a driver for Stevenage Taxis, Herts.

Political lobby journalist Sean Dilley had booked the taxi to take him across town to a local vets but when the taxi arrived, the driver would not take his assistance dog, Chipp. Mr Dilley told a local newspaper that when he pointed out the law to the driver, he was told that Chipp could travel in the boot of the car.

Mr Dilley said: “We called the office on speaker phone and Stevenage Taxis told him he had to take the guide dog but the driver became rather loud and threatening. He objected to having a ‘dirty dog’ in his car.

“The office sent another car and apologised, telling me they would call the driver in. Before parting, the driver demanded money from me to clean hair from his car where we had initially sat in it.



“This is the latest disgusting and unacceptable refusal to carry my guide dog. They are vital mobility aides for the blind and the law recognises this and outlaws their refusal. Unfortunately the message isn’t getting through to taxi drivers, some of whom think the law doesn’t apply to them. I call on Stevenage Borough Council to prosecute and I assure the driver that if they don’t, I will take out a private prosecution.”

Because of the potential prosecution, Stevenage Taxis reportedly said they would not comment, but confirmed that Mr Dilley is a “long-standing account customer” of the firm.

In an online comment on the story, Mr Dilley said that he always informs taxi companies that he has a guide dog.

A Stevenage Borough Council spokesperson said there would be a full investigation, adding: “Under the terms of their licence, taxi drivers are obliged to carry assistance dogs unless they have been granted an exemption from doing so by the council. There are currently six licensed drivers out of 298 who have exemptions. These have been given on medical grounds only. Drivers with an exemption carry a certificate to indicate this.”