Taxi Driver Online

Guide dog case "taxi" driver gets warning




A "TAXI" driver who refused the fare of a blind lady and her guide dog has received a warning from Dudley Council about his actions.

Sheraz Younas, a driver at Beacon Taxi’s, was found guilty by Dudley Magistrates in September of an offence under the Disability Discrimination Act.

The court heard how 25-year-old Younas, of Buffery Road, refused to allow Lesley Elwell’s labrador retriever guide dog Freya in his car, despite knowing she was an assistance dog.

He was fined £150 and ordered to pay £1,475 costs by the three magistrates, one of which was partially sighted.

Following the successful conviction, Younas also had his private hire licence suspended by council officials “in the interest of public safety” until a meeting of the Taxi Committee last week.

During the meeting on Wednesday November 19, committee members reviewed Mr Younas’s licence and handed him a full written warning - which allows him to return back to work.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, any taxi driver who refuses to take wheelchair users or passengers with a guide dog is committing a criminal offence.

Speaking after the two day trial back in September, Lesley Elwell said she hoped her case would bring to the attention of all private hire drivers that they need to be aware of the responsibilities of working dogs.

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

I bet he Didnt see that one Coming...

if it was a fair world the passenger with dog should supply seat covers so the next passenger isnt going to have her best party frock looking like rovers back and arse

come on, why should i provide a 10K-20K vehicle to have dog hairs and muddy paw prints all over the seats


if justice is blind should they try the case?...

If you dont like it make a protest about it.

CC

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

nah, ill just not stop at the pickup, thats my protest

when they ring ill swear i never took the booking

BTW, wheres a dog supposed to sit? and seeing as a big labrador can weigh as much as lester piggot, shouldnt they be restrained/belted, in an accident you could just as easliy be crushed by rover as by little johhny, yet the law says LJ should be strapped in...




http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SN77b9DqEbc

A properly trained guide dog will sit in a floorwell.

CC

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

I think a written warning is about right.

Hopefully he and his colleagues will now be aware what the law states.

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IDFIMH

if i cant refuse to carry a guide dog can i at least insist "not on the seats please"

That sounds reasonable.....as previously stated, a decent assistance dog will sit in the floor-well....incidentally thats possibly the same place as the passengers should go

CC

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

Before I clicked on this story I had a little bet with myself.

If the odds were as good at William Hill, I'd be a Millionaire by now.

Obviously an abuse of power......I fail to understand how the guy...admittedly an idiot.....is a threat to the public.

The council need a letter from the DFT, or the DFT need to be made aware of it.

CC

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

Can't see how he got a warning, he was convicted and fined.

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stressed controller!!!

Over the years I've not picked up that many guide dogs, but when I have they have always sat in the passengers foot well and have never been a problem apart from when one farted and nearly made my eyes water.

Needed a double-take on that one - thought I saw an extra 'h' in there