Taxi driver fined for refusing to take blind man's guide dog in his car

A taxi driver refused to take a blind man's guide dog in his car - but blamed it on his asthma.

Cabbie Mohammed Sattar, who works for Skelmanthorpe Cars, told the man that he was allergic to dogs when he came to collect him on April 5.

But he was ordered to pay a fine after Kirklees magistrates heard that he did not possess a medical exemption certificate.

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to an offence under the Equality Act 2010 of refusing to accept a booking which had been requested by a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog.

Magistrates were told that the complainant called his local taxi firm to arrange for a car to pick him up from Wakefield Road in Scissett .

Tahir Hanif, prosecuting on behalf of Kirklees Council , said: “The dog was wearing his high vis harness and Sattar said: 'Oh, you've got a dog'.

“He was told that it was a guide dog but the driver said: 'I don't take dogs'. He said he was allergic to dog and car hairs.

“The complainant asked him to show his exemption certificate but was unable to do so.”

Magistrates were told that following the incident the matter was reported to the council's licensing service.

Sattar, of Moorside Avenue in Crosland Moor , was investigated and provided a letter from his GP saying that he suffered from asthma and this was exacerbated by dog and cat hairs.

As a result, the doctor said, he was unable to carry such animals however Mr Hanif said that the fact that the driver was unable to transport them was not the issue.

He explained that all private hire taxi drivers are required to take a course which includes dealing with difficult customers and different scenarios.

Mr Hanif said: “Within that training course it is explained that if you have such issues you have to apply for an exemption certificate.

“The licensing department then asks an independent doctor to carry out tests and the certificate is given.

“There's no suggestion of impropriety on Sattar's part, simply it was a failure to do something he ought to have done.”

Sattar told magistrates that he intends to apply for an exemption certificate but in the meantime will carry passengers accompanied by assistance dogs.

He said: “I'm really sorry. It won't happen again.”

Magistrates fined him £100 and ordered him to pay £220 prosecution costs plus £30 victim surcharge.