Cabbie banned for guide dog bar

What an idea! If a cabbie tries to impose Sharia rules in his cab, fire him! Now, why didn't anyone think of that before?
All he got here was a seven-day suspension. But it's a start.

A cab driver who refused to let a blind customer bring her guide dog into his car has been disqualified from driving.
Liakath Ali, 21, shouted "no dog" at Paula Thomas, of London, leaving her distraught as she tried to enter the taxi, Westminster magistrates heard.
It has been compulsory for licensed taxi drivers to carry guide dogs since the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Ali, of Woodstock Road, Bedford, was banned for seven days for refusing to carry a person with a guide dog.
District Judge Quinton Purdy rejected Ali's claim he has an allergy to dog hair and told him he behaved disgracefully.
Minicab drivers who claim they are allergic to dogs must have and are required to display in their vehicle, a medical certificate to prove exemption. To obtain a certificate, a driver must apply to his licensing authority, in this case the London Public Carriage Office, which stipulates drivers must provide expert evidence of an allergy from a detailed Consultant's report.

Paula Thomas who is an Advice Worker at RNIB said: "When the cab arrived, the driver refused to take the dog. I asked him why he was refusing to take the dog. He replied, "I'm not taking the dog". Stuart reminded him that he was breaking the law. Another couple who had agreed to share a cab with us to Walthamstow asked the driver why he was refusing. He continued to respond by saying, "I'm not taking the dog".

"At no point did the driver suggest he was allergic to dog hair. We now know that in order to refuse to take a working dog he is required to have a medical exemption certificate displayed in his cab. He didn't have one and still hasn't got one.
Mr Quinton said: "You knew they wanted a cab and offered no explanation at all.
"Your own doctor acknowledged no apparent problem with you."

Notes to Editors

• The charge against Mr Ali, was brought under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, of refusing to carry out a booking made by, or on behalf of, a disabled person on the grounds that: The disabled person was accompanied by her assistance dog. From 2003 this law applied to all taxis who carried out bookings.
• This offence is a criminal offence. For a driver who is found guilty - the court can impose a fine of up to £1,000 - apply penalty points to a drivers licence or remove a drivers licence.
• If you or anyone you know has a sight problem call the RNIB Helpline on 0845 766 9999.

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