MarieC Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-...f-1225841955281 A SYDNEY cabbie is in the doghouse after refusing to allow a guide dog and its high-profile owner - Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes - into his vehicle. James Young couldn't have picked a worse person to turn away than Mr Innes, who is a lawyer and human rights advocate. He promptly reported the cabbie to the Department for Transport which launched a prosecution. Young was fined $750 and ordered to pay $2500 in costs at a Sydney court. It's by no means the first time Mr Innes and his golden labrador Jordie have been refused a cab - an offence under federal and state law. A recent Guide Dogs NSW/ACT survey showed one in three guide dog owners were turned away by cabbies in the past 12 months, with Sydney drivers the worst offenders. A spokesman for the organisation suggests it may stem from cultural differences "Some of it is simply down to taxi drivers not understanding the law,'' Guide Dogs spokesman Charles Ulm told AAP. "Some of it is cultural too. We don't have evidence for that, but many taxi drivers come from countries where dogs are looked down upon." Mr Innes said he approached Young's taxi in Market Street last April and was told he wasn't welcome. "I wouldn't say he was rude, but he was quite firm the dog or I wasn't getting in,'' Mr Innes told AAP. What sort of ignorant doesn't know the rule about Guide Dogs? If I was a taxi driver I'd give passengers with a dog a discount Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 (edited) I'm sure he or she probably learned a lesson. tolerance. Lots of cabbies are new immigrants and haven't yet learned the rules. Edited March 18, 2010 by sandgrubber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcoat Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I'm sure he or she probably learned a lesson. tolerance. Lots of cabbies are new immigrants and haven't yet learned the rules. They will pick up a drunk from the pub with "i'm gonna be sick" tatoo'd on their forehead, which they do all over the back seat, but they refuse a dog as it may drop some hair A bit of dog hair on the seat is far easier than cleaning up a good chuck.............doesn't make sense, especially a guide dog which is someones eyes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 (edited) What's this 'they' business. There are all sorts of cabbies . . . . some will refuse to pick up a drunk. And for someone from a non-dog tolerant culture, picking up a dog probably feels like it would to someone who hates snakes to pick up a person holding large python. Not to say I agree with the cabbie or he didn't deserve a fine. Just that some people end out learning the hard way. If it's a first offense made in ignorance, no big deal. For all we know the cabbie didn't know what a guide dog is, and thought the blind person was drunk. I'm sure he or she probably learned a lesson. tolerance. Lots of cabbies are new immigrants and haven't yet learned the rules. They will pick up a drunk from the pub with "i'm gonna be sick" tatoo'd on their forehead, which they do all over the back seat, but they refuse a dog as it may drop some hair A bit of dog hair on the seat is far easier than cleaning up a good chuck.............doesn't make sense, especially a guide dog which is someones eyes Edited March 18, 2010 by sandgrubber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Dragon Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I think it comes down to the taxi companies. They need to make sure their drivers know the laws before they start working! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhou Xuanyao Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Ha sucked in Not that cabbies lucky day. Not sure what is the matter with people, from cabbies to store owners and so forth, get it through your heads, assistance dogs are allowed, same thing over and over I found Sydney cabbies to be fine with dogs. I used to use them years ago to get here or there with the dog (a big guy) no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxter Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Won't be making that mistake again will he! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cashew Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I think it comes down to the taxi companies. They need to make sure their drivers know the laws before they start working! +1 I thought that taxi drivers have to pass certain tests before they are allowed to hit the roads. I am sure there is something about knowing the laws.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felix Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I thought that taxi drivers have to pass certain tests before they are allowed to hit the roads. I am sure there is something about knowing the laws.... You are right. There is a course and several tests (depending on the state, company etc.) All drivers know they have to take a passenger with a guide dog. They do and still some refuse. Usualy they get away with this because passengers with dogs that are refused a ride often choose not to contact transport dept. and lodge a complaint. However, drivers can refuse drunks and disorderly passengers anytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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