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Jon Prashar and his guide dog Amber
Jon Prashar and his guide dog Amber

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Cabbies banned over guide dogs


February 24, 2009

TWO cabbies who refused to carry a blind man and his guide dog have been stripped of their licences.

Talib Hussain, 51, and Mohammed Idress, 37, left Jon Prashar and his dog Amber stranded outside Rochdale railway station.

But thanks to a colleague of Mr Prashar's, who took down their registration numbers, the pair were tracked down and fined. After a further investigation, they have now had their Hackney Cab licences revoked for two weeks.

Mr Prashar, who has been blind since birth, believes both drivers would not take him because of a religious misunderstanding over his dog.

Despite the cabbies' concerns, the Muslim Council of Britain has issued guidance saying Islamic law does allow guide dogs to be carried in taxis. They have even been allowed into mosques in the past.

Mr Prashar, who was in Rochdale for a conference, said: "I've had similar problems before in places like curry houses.

"I think it's just a misunderstanding. To be fair to the drivers, they were both very pleasant. When they knew I was taking action, one drove to my house to apologise.

"I don't think they were being malicious. But something needs to be done to stop this from happening again."

Hussain, of Chevron Close, Marland, was fined £125, while Idress, of Bolton Road, Sudden, was fined £100. Both were also ordered to pay £128 costs at Rochdale Magistrates Court.

Both pleaded guilty to offences under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Now town hall bosses have gone one step further by imposing the ban at a formal hearing.

Panel chairman Andy Glover called the drivers' actions `unacceptable'.

Coun Keith Swift added: "We we are keen to ensure that all members of the community are treated fairly."

Mr Prashar, from Leeds, said: "I'm happy it's now over.

"I just hope they have learned their lesson."



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Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

   I can’t believe this, what’s this country coming to, for gods sake these are guide dogs not pigs. These cabbies are suppose to be providing service to the community and religion should not play any part in it, if they don’t like it they should not be doing it it’s as simple as that.
S Patel
24/02/2009 at 14:11