[nagdu] Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Ah, good information!  That is the key to limiting -- and may be evenutally
ending -- these sorts of abuses in the first place.

Especially with a major news organization will to get the information spread
far and wide.  The more of us who know our rights and our options -- and the
situations we're likely to face and how to handle them -- the more power we
will all have to make good choices when it comes down to it and we have to
decide on the spot and under pressure and who knows what else which is the
least worst choice.  And how much are we going to pay for making the least
worst choice...  And knowing that it may be possible to get *actual*
advocacy against lawbreakers doesn't hurt when it's time to stand strong,
either.  /smile/



Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 8:34 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk

Dear All,
    I just got off of the phone with a reporter for ABC who interviewed me 
concerning this story. I had not heard of it before she called. She promised

to give NAGDU some good exposure for the information we provided!

Fraternally yours,
Marion



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ginger Kutsch" <GingerKutsch at yahoo.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 6:18 AM
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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> nagdu at nfbnet.org
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>
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t 


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