Taxi Driver Online

Two minicab drivers prosecuted for refusing guide dog in their private hire cars



Two minicab drivers from Bristol have been prosecuted for refusing to allow a registered blind man to take his guide dog in their cars.

Andrew Goddard of Badgers Walk, Brislington, booked a car to take him and his guide dog, Sammy, to a social event at the Louisiana pub in the city centre.

But two drivers refused to take him to the event in their private hire cars before he was eventually taken to the venue by a third driver.

As a result, Mr Goddard arrived very late for the event, and both he and Sammy got soaking wet.

The incident led the city council’s licensing enforcement team to prosecute the drivers for refusing to convey an assistance dog under the 2010 Equalities Act.

Mr Goddard hopes that by bringing this case to court, it will prevent other people from having to go through the same ordeal.

He said: “I got Sammy in May last year, and he has given me the confidence to go out to social events on my own.

“I don’t have any problem with my normal taxi firm, who are always happy to take my dog, and if it hadn’t have been raining, I would have probably got the bus.

“I am pleased that both drivers were prosecuted, and I hope that by highlighting this issue other people will not have to suffer.”

The first driver, Khader Ahmed Sharif Abdi admitted the charge before Bristol magistrates and was given a conditional discharge, and ordered to pay a contribution to the prosecution costs.

The second driver, Sheikh Omar Mohamed, was found guilty by Bristol magistrates and fined nearly £350.

Assistant Mayor Gus Hoyt said: “Taxis and Private Hire vehicles form an integral part of the transport system in Bristol and are often relied upon by people suffering from visual impairment.

“It is simply not acceptable that drivers don’t comply with their legal obligations by refusing to carry assistance dogs. We are delighted that we have brought these successful convictions, and we hope it sends out a strong message that this is simply not acceptable.”

Alun Gwernan-Jones, regional manager for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, welcomed the tough stance from the licensing department.

He said: “Guide Dog Owners depend on their dogs for independence, and they, and any other assistance dog users, need to have confidence that no Bristol taxis will refuse them access.”


Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/taxi-drive ... z3JhJKDAG8

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

As it should be but here's a quick question, I would imagine a wet dog is going to leave a heck of a mess to clean up who pays for that ?

Why would it leave a bigger mess than, say, a mum and three kids?

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IDFIMH

The guide dog will probably leave less mess and make for a quitter journey.

True

But a wet dog is still going to have a fair chance of soiling a vehicle. Would there be anything discriminatory sbout charging a cleaning charge ?

not much, but its hardly fair when the owner will claim not to have seen any mess

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Guide dogs sit in the passenger footwell. They do not jump on the seats. Are they going to leave any more mess on the carpet than you would get from muddy shoes? Do you charge people with wet or muddy shoes a soiling charge or do you simply refuse those fares?

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Grandad,

Rather have a wet dog than a mum with kids and pound bakery sausage rolls !!