Taxi Driver Online

Letchworth taxi driver cautioned after refusing Stevenage blind man’s guide dog

A TAXI driver who refused to take a blind man’s guide dog could have his licence revoked if he commits another offence. Mr Hassan, who works for Gary’s Taxis in Letchworth GC, has been given 10 penalty points on his taxi licence and a formal caution by North Herts District Council (NHDC) following a disciplinary hearing.

At the hearing Mr Hassan admitted he refused to carry assistance dog Chipp, who was accompanying Sean Dilley, after the 29-year-old had arranged for the cab to pick him up from Letchworth Sports and Tennis Club in January.

The Stevenage resident said he was told by Mr Hassan he would not take the dog because he was a Muslim and wouldn’t breathe in dog hairs. Mr Dilley - who was born partially sighted and has been blind for 15 years - subsequently made a complaint to NHDC, which licenses taxis in the district.

The council gave out the penalty points and caution after accepting Mr Hassan’s explanation that he did not understand either the council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, the Equality Act 2010 or the meaning of the term ‘an assistance dog’.

If Mr Hassan commits a further offence in the next two years he would be called back in front of the council’s head of housing and public protection who would decide whether he is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

Andy Godman, NHDC’s head of housing and public protection, said: “The council takes this issue very seriously and has thoroughly investigated all the legal and religious issues regarding Muslim drivers carrying assistance dogs. We hope that the penalty awarded will send a clear message that NHDC does not tolerate breaches of our policy on this matter, however we are satisfied that the case hinged on a misunderstanding on the driver’s part rather than an explicit refusal to assist a disabled person.”

Mr Dilley, who works as a freelance political broadcaster, said: “I am satisfied that Mr Hassan did not act out of malice towards me, and am happy to accept an unreserved apology from him. I am also satisfied that the council acted quickly to investigate the matter and that their judgement is fair.

“Ultimately, I hope that my case will highlight to other taxi drivers the legal position around carrying assistance dogs, so that this doesn’t happen to anyone else. The clear message has gone out that if you’re not prepared to take assistance dogs in your taxi without a consultant’s medical exemption certificate, you’re not a fit and proper person to be doing this trusted job.”

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IDFIMH

And there was me thinking it was a criminal offence, to be dealt with by the courts.

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IDFIMH

How is it that people from certain religions who appear to despise dogs on religious grounds have been flocking to Dog loving Britain by the Millions over the last 3 Decades?

At a guess I would say they are after a better life.

However the law applies to us all.

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IDFIMH

One day the Law will change to suit the ethnic make up of Britain....and It might not be a law favourable to the Blind or their Guide Dogs..

So he got Mikey mouse points and not real ones

How sad a day that will be when it comes, funny thing is by being all PC about things, the dogoods are actually creating another war for the future, where we may have buckled other factions living here now won't, if they'd only realise the British do things best and go with the flow, on the up though there does seem to be a lot of Asian girls converting to our ways of dress and leisure, lets hope they all break free from their oppressors and my prediction is avoided.

Isn't this the same one that we had the video link for a few weeks ago ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

The real issue is nothing to do with religion IMHO just another driver using a worthless and pointless excuse.

Haven't the muslim forum / association / council / uncle tom cobley and all clearly stated muslims cant use religion to refuse guide dogs?

Correct.

Correct.

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IDFIMH