[nagdu] Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk

[Margo and Arrow]

Botht eh cabdriver and the dog guide handler should take responsibility.

I do not care how late I might be to something--my dog guide will not ride 
in a trunk.  To me, there is no valid reason to give in and your dog rides 
in a trunk!

what a message she is sending out.  I bet Peta would have a hey day with 
this one.

margo and Arrow
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tina Thomas" <tinadt at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk


> It is easy to jump all over the taxi driver for his actions, however the
> owner of the service animal needs to take some responsibility for what
> happened. We all have choices. I understand that she was running late,
> however, we as blind travelers need to understand when we are dealing with
> public transportation, para transit and or taxi companies that we need to 
> be
> aware that situations might arise beyond our control and as inconvenient 
> as
> it is, it is better to be very early then very late.
> Now, I'm  not saying that the driver shouldn't be held accountable for his
> actions, however if we don't want to be victimized then we need to not put
> ourselves in that situation where someone can force us to make poor
> decisions.
> jmo.
> Tina
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Ginger Kutsch
> Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 3:18 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: [nagdu] Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk
>
> Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk
>
> Blind Woman Says Driver Gave Her Ultimatum
>
> Marc Stewart, 7News Reporter
>
> June 6, 2011
>
>
>
>
>
> DENVER -- A blind woman says a driver told her she would have to put her
> guide dog in the trunk of his taxi if she wanted a ride.
>
>
>
> Judie Brown says her black lab named Alberto isn't just a best friend; 
> he's
> been her lifeline for the past four years.
>
>
>
> "If something happened to him. I would just die," said Brown.
>
>
>
>
>
> About a month ago, Brown called a cab.
>
>
>
> When she walked out front with Alberto, the driver from Union Taxi 
> initially
> refused to transport her with Alberto.
>
>
>
> "He said, 'No dog in my cab,' " said Brown.
>
>
>
> Brown said the driver told her he was allergic to dogs and would only 
> drive
> her if Alberto went in the back of his cab.
>
>
>
> "I asked him, 'Where in the back?' And he said, 'In the trunk,' " said
> Brown.
>
>
>
> Late for an appointment, she reluctantly agreed.
>
>
>
> "I never hear my dog whine or crying. Ever. Ever. I knew it was terribly
> wrong," said Brown.
>
>
>
> Colorado law protects guide dogs and their owners, allowing them to ride
> together in taxis.
>
>
>
> "A service dog is an appliance, similar to a wheelchair. Would you deny 
> them
> a wheelchair?" said animal law expert Jay Swearingen.
>
>
>
> A manager with Union Taxi tells 7NEWS the driver has been suspended and
> fined by the state.
>
>
>
> But Judie is scarred and says she's been afraid to travel with Alberto 
> ever
> since.
>
>
>
> "I've lost my independence. And I do not like it. It makes me angry. And I
> want it back," said Brown.
>
>
>
> The National Guide Dog Association says they get similar calls, three to 
> 10
> times per week.
>
>
>
>
>
> URL: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28151488/detail.html
>
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