Guide Dog Access

[Drew Radcliffe]

Hi All

Wanted the opinion of both those who don't need a dog and those who have one like me.

I was away up north last month and I was refused a taxi because the driver wouldn't carry the dog. He gave no reason and he didn't have medical excemption. I reported it to the council who he is licesned by and they are currently investigating. I know its being taken seriously as I have been asked if i would be prepared to testify against the driver in court.

The same thing has happend again today this time nearer to home.

The penalties for this are quite harsh if the local authorities by pass their own sanctions and go for the criminal route via the DDA amendment that applies to this.

Having one case to stress about is bad enough should I kick off the second or should i let it lie,

Drew

[jayuk]

Drew

My understanding was that a Minicab / Cab can refuse access to even a guide dog if they have a policy of not carrying animals. I was always under the impression that it was essentially at there discretion........unless of course rules and reg have changed...

J

[Andrew MacLean]

Drew

If I were you I'd not let it lie.

Other guide dog users may find themselves in the same position if you don't take a stand.

You'd ahve my uneqivocal support in your pursuit of justice and equal treatment for guide dog users.

Yours aye

Andrew

[Drew Radcliffe]

Hi Jay.

The regulations changed a few years ago

This link

Is a clear explanation of the current legislation

Drew

[jayuk]

Drew

Thanks for that! I honestly didnt know that this was now the case!

This part seals it for me

licensed PHV drivers to carry guide,
hearing and prescribed assistance dogs
accompanying disabled people, and to
do so without charge.

If I was in your shoes; I would progress and take it forward but thats me

Jay

[GarethB]

The cases I have heard has come down to passenger and driver safety.

Guide dogs are extremely well behaved, but I know some taxi drivers have dog guards in their cars (hatch backs and extates) so that should they be involved in an accident, the guide dog and any luggage for that matter are not turned into a projectile that can have lethal consequences.

Most pet shops do restraints for dogs that clip on in a similar way to the harness on a guide dog and allow the dog to be secured to the seat belt so when they are on the back seat they are protected by a harness and passengers are protected so the dog does not become a projectile.

If the driver can proove that it was a matter of safety that he refused transport he is likely to be get away with his actions or if he can proove a medical reason such as a severe allergy to dogs he may be able to get away with a caution and told to make clear his situation.

Otherwise Drew is absolutly correct and should take action.

The reason I am sitting on the fence here is that I have seen first hand the damage an unrestrained dog can do in an accident.

A car hit me in a head on accident before I was diagnosed with KC. The driver was killed outright because of the angle they hit me. The passenger received a broken neck from being stuck on the back of the head by a jack russel that was unretsrained in the back. A labradour is considerably heavier.

The accident was survivable for the passenger had the headrest been adjusted corectlly to offer protection and avoid whiplash. Unfortunatly for them, the headrest was set too low and the dog missed the headrest and hit the passenger.

Regards

Gareth

[Drew Radcliffe]

I have a car harness for the dog. Its essential with an alsation like Yates.

[GarethB]

Drew,

In that case I shift position in your support.

[Andrew MacLean]

Drew

Let us know what happens

Andrew

[Susan Mason]

Hi Drew

I too would go for it.
I have no guide dog however, have found out in other areas (and with plenty of stress involved I should add) that you get no where if you do not stand your ground.

Cases such as this without good cause for refusal to take you and Yates are just blatant discrimination.

best wishes

Susan

PS I realise it is possibly a lot of hassle for you but think, if it had been very late and you were a lady, possibly in the middle of no where. I am all for equality however your recent experiences are bang out of line.