General Chat

Steve, I have just researched it... well, did a quick google.

The following link gives details of the case and his reasons for refusing to allow the dog into the cab, and also the responses from the local authority, regarding the taxi driver's legal responsibilities and duties.

Also his response when the group informed him that he had a legal responsibility to take them where they needed to go.... *so take me to court*

I think he got a shock when they did.

He drives/drove a Hackney cab, so is licensed by the local authority. I do so hope he has lost that licence, or at the least had it suspended for a while.

So, Steve, your argument is somewhat spurious. And irrelevent.

He broke the law. Have I mentioned that before?

Daff

i agree with JaneyCanuk totally, and think drivers should carry "working dogs" as it is the law, but in exceptional circumstances i think its acceptable to refuse and make the passenger other arrangements, if it is a pre booked taxi the obvious thing would be to inform the taxi co that they will be bringing a dog for assistance and then they can send a driver with no issues. i understand its the law for all drivers to comply with the law but sometimes common sense makes life alot easier. it sounds like the driver in question didnt do things in the right way and deserves the fine he got , it might make him think abit more next time

oh yeah, for the record i am a caring person and will always help people (as best as i can) that need assistance, whatever the situation

Oops, for some reason the link didn't copy to my last post.

This is the report if you want to check what happened according to the BBC (and court records, presumably.)


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/10266083.stm

Steven, I would not dispute for one second that you are a kind person, and would help anyone who needs that help.

Common sense might need to prevail in some circumstances, I agree, and as Janey suggested, then ensuring that another cab was available might in some circumstances be appropriate. But not in these circumstances.

For instance, if I wanted to take one of my pets to the vet, I would always make sure that I told the company, or asked or whatever beforehand. They do not have to carry pets, they can quite legitimately refuse to do so, and I would 100% back that decision.

But not a guide dog, they HAVE to carry them. There are no if's, ands or buts... they are licensed by the local authority, and it forms a part of their working contract and licence to drive a Hackney Cab. So there is no getout clause, unless there has been a risk assessment and he has special medical grounds etc etc... and then there would have to be written procedures in place to allow for the passengers to be effortlessly transferred to another cab, minimum fuss, no unpleasantness. That was not the case here.

Love

Daff xxxx

Muslim people view dogs as unclean. Muslim taxi drivers should be trained to take guide dogs, perhaps using mat for it to sit on floor of car. It is illegal in Aust to refuse to take guide dogs, but still occasionally happens. Drivers can be fined etc.