Taxi Driver Online

Darlington taxi driver could face court after accidentally refusing a guide dog


A TAXI driver could face court and lose his job after accidentally refusing to accept a guide dog.

Darlington driver Alan Grieve is anxiously waiting to hear the outcome of an investigation into an incident that happened in August.

He fears he could lose his job after a couple claimed he refused to allow them into his vehicle with their guide dog.

The problem arose when Mr Grieve noticed the couple’s dog and said it could not travel in his £30,000 car if it shed hair.

Mr Grieve says he could not see anything that marked the dog as a guide dog and claimed it was not wearing a hi-vis jacket.

A taxi driver for more than 21 years, Mr Grieve says he has transported many guide dogs without issue during his career and would never purposely refuse one.

The issue was reported to Darlington Borough Council which launched an investigation, the outcome of which is currently in the hands of the authority’s legal department.

“It happened when a woman with a dog approached me and I told her I wouldn’t take it if it shed hairs," he said.

"The man with her objected and I asked my colleagues to back me up and tell them I only had to take a dog if it was a guide dog.

“That’s when they told me it was a guide dog and I said sorry and agreed to take it but they went with another driver.”

He said waiting for the council to decide whether or not to prosecute was causing stress and worry over the prospect of losing his job.

Mr Grieve said: “I’ve given an interview to two council officers and they’ve got two witness statements from other people backing me up.

“I’ve taken loads of guide dogs over the years and I’ve got no reason not to – I wouldn’t put my job at risk.

“Taking me to court would be a waste of time, energy and tax payers’ money.

“This has been going on for months now and I’m uneasy and nervous, it’s had a huge impact on me.

“I don’t know what I’ll do if I’m suspended, it’s the worst thing they can do to a taxi driver – I’ve got two children and rent to pay.

“I was professional throughout and I really didn’t expect it to go this far.”

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said was unable to comment on the issue.

source: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1 ... guide_dog/

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

Whats the cost of the car got to do with it? My car cost £55k when new and I carry any pets, have you not got a hoover?

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42 years now! and still going strong!

You lot must earn fortunes down there to afford to spend that much on a taxi ! I think it is a case of did they make it clear it was an assistance dog or not

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

He didn't say he bought it from new.

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IDFIMH

he didn't want to ,as he thought it was a pet , his prerogative i suppose, you take them , he wont & you actually expect him to pick a dog owner & dog up, drop them off, go home & hoover the car ? come on man