[Njagdu] Blind woman says cab owner refused service over guide dog

[Ginger Kutsch]

Blind woman says cab owner refused service over guide dog 

URL:
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/woman-says-cab-business-refused-service
-over-guide/nX8c8/

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. - A Henry County woman is claiming discrimination, saying
she was refused taxi service because of her guide dog.

 

Christina Butler got her service dog, Bailey, last year following four weeks
of rigorous training with the dog in Columbus, Ohio, away from her family.
She said Bailey had to pass a very hard test to become a guide dog.

 

That's why she never expected what she says the owner of the Checker Cab
Company in McDonough told her Tuesday when she called for a ride to a
doctor's appointment. 

 

"I let him know that I had a service animal, and he said I couldn't bring my
service animal because dogs aren't allowed. I just couldn't believe that he
would deny her. I was shocked," Butler told Channel 2's Eric Philips.

 

The cab company owner who runs the business out of his home did not want to
go on camera. He told Philips by phone he only has one cab, and it was in
the shop at the time Butler called. He said he was using his wife's BMW and
that her boxer would not fit inside. But Butler said he didn't explain any
of that at the time.

 

"Making me feel like I'm not wanted; my animal's not wanted. He was supposed
to accommodate it and he refused," she said.

 

The company owner said it was just a misunderstanding. Butler, however, said
she understood clearly.

 

"I think it's discriminating. I think it's wrong," Butler said.

 

"I don't want (anyone) else to be turned down, because it's very important
for us to get to the doctor and for us to do things without other people,"
she said.

 

By law, service animals are supposed to be allowed just about anywhere
humans can go. 

 

The cab company owner insists he would have accommodated Butler if he could
have.

 

 

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