Chit Chat
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A taxi driver has been fined £2,100 for refusing to carry a blind woman and her guide dog.
Shahzad Ahmad, from Hodge Hill in Birmingham, claimed his six-seater people carrier was not big enough to take Sue Smith's Labrador.
It is an offence for a taxi driver not to take a blind person and their guide dog unless they have a medical exemption certificate for an allergy.
The 32-year-old was convicted at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
Mr Ahmad was found guilty in his absence after denying the charge in October.
His contract with taxi firm T.C Cars was discontinued following the refusal in April.
"Some drivers may have a fear of dogs but it is a legal requirement," said Sue Bushell from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Shahzad Ahmad, from Hodge Hill in Birmingham, claimed his six-seater people carrier was not big enough to take Sue Smith's Labrador.
It is an offence for a taxi driver not to take a blind person and their guide dog unless they have a medical exemption certificate for an allergy.
The 32-year-old was convicted at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
Mr Ahmad was found guilty in his absence after denying the charge in October.
His contract with taxi firm T.C Cars was discontinued following the refusal in April.
"Some drivers may have a fear of dogs but it is a legal requirement," said Sue Bushell from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
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Replies: 76
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Deport him.
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I was about to say 'let me guess' then I saw the name. ha ha!!!
This will be less of a problem in around 2060 when they dominate certain cities and eventually their law will predominate in the whole of the country. Blind people with dogs can just walk home after that. |
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Why should a businessman be forced to have his cab soiled by a stinking dog?
I wouldn't have a dog in my car, and I wouldn't want to use a taxi that had just had a dog inside it either. Haven't we gone too far with this discrimination nonsense? There are ways around situations like these without forcing people into corners through fines. Like, why not simply tell the person who books the cab to explain over the phone that the passenger will have a dog with them? Then the taxi firm can send round a cattle truck to pick up the beast. |
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If he can allow people into his cab he can allow dogs.
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I'd rather have an unwashed dog in my car than an unwashed muslim.
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Well I disagree.
It should be left to the driver who he chooses to pick up. When they book the cab they should mention the dog instead of taking a chance on who the driver might be. There are plenty of other taxis that take dogs. |
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There are far too many laws telling us what we can and can't do.
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When they book the cab they should mention the dog instead of taking a chance on who the driver might be.
Maybe they believe they can rely on the law of the land? |
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Well I disagree.
It should be left to the driver who he chooses to pick up. So if he doesn't want to pick up white people that would be okay? Soon some of these peep will be refusing to allow women with uncovered faces into their cabs, or for wearing too short a skirt. Our country, our culture and our laws. If you don't like it then ................................ |
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Shahzad Ahmad, from Hodge Hill in Birmingham, claimed his six-seater people carrier was not big enough to take Sue Smith's Labrador.
Deserved to be treated harshly for such a frivolous defence |
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I wouldn't want to get into a taxi with the back seat covered in dog hairs.
You're putting the taxi driver in an impossible position. They don't take turning down fares lightly. Give them a bit of leeway by declaring the dog when the booking is made. |
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Well, he could always clear the hairs after he's dropped off!
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you really are a miserable old git aren't you dr crippen
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It's a bad law.
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The dog may well have been able to stay on the floor
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Its the poor dog I feel sorry for, must have been mortified.
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ffs what the hell is the problem with letting a dog into a taxi..get a grip man
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Even if the dog had to be on the seat, quick brush or vacuum, Fabreze. Job done.
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you really are a miserable old git aren't you dr crippen
Well I don't come on here and straight away start calling people names like you do. It's a miserable git who does that. |
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no wonder David Mellor got so angry, these taxi drivers can be obnoxious!
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Crippen,
It's simple really. If you don't like the laws that govern taxis, then don't drive one. It's not rocket science ffs. And yes, I'd take a labrador in my car over a Muslim any day of the week, but I still wouldn't refuse to take either if I chose to drive a taxi. |
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Yes i-a-w-n, they could keep a mop and bucket in the boot to clean up after the dog has p!ssed on the seat as well.
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tight arse victor meldrew clones like you make me miserable dr crippen
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Crippen, guide dogs are expertly trained. You're more likely to get a messy seat from a toddler than a guide dog.
Shall we ban toddlers now? |
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Tbh, he probably will have a cloth and spray in the boot but what are the chances of a highly-trained guide dog doing that?
All dogs are allowed on trains and buses, btw. |
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treble,
What's the list of banned occupations so far. Don't drive taxis if you don't like dogs. Don't keep a boarding house if you don't like poofters. Don't start a business if you don't like employing certain people. Don't rent out property if you're not prepared to make alterations to accommodate disabled people. Whatever happened to freedom? |
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I just realised dr crippen is norman tebbitt
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Pandora,
It's nice to see you giving it all you've got. Haven't you got anything to say about the topic or are you simply here to have a go at me? |
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Pandora must be sore from something I said elsewhere.
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a good haul Dr.
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The dog would have been more intelligent and have better manners than a lot of the usual rabble he ferries about.
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i rarely get into online squabbles these days mate..but you are a real killjoy misery guts aren't you
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Just tell them when you book the taxi that the passenger is bringing a dog with them.
That's all you have to do. |
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A £2100 fine seems a bit harsh. Jeez I've seen proper crooks get off lighter.
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thedodgepoy I agree
It's a ridiculously high fine for simply causing someone a bit of inconvenience. I'd have though £60 for a first offence. The poor bloke has lost his job into the bargain. |
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It was harsh but as I said at 14:49, it was deserved for such a frivolous defence
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Oh I see, defending yourself inadequately is a greater offence than the crime?
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Let's hope Crippen never goes blind
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The bad publicity the firm has attracted would have been enough to prevent it happening in future.
There was no need for a fine of that size. I wonder if the bloke has got a family to keep? That's the Christmas ruined for his kids if he has. |