An event in Westminster held by the Guide Dogs charity, where we learned 75 per cent of guide-dog owners in Wales had been refused entry by businesses.
The legal aspect suggests It is against the law to refuse access to a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog, except in the most exceptional circumstances. But nearly half (42 per cent) of guide-dog owners surveyed by the charity said they had been turned away by a taxi driver or similar private-hire company in the last year.
Does anybody know which section of which law is being contravened when this happens? Might help those affected if they can quote this along with the possible penalties?
Health and safety with regards to food, and insurance issues mostly, when clubs and restaurants are crowded, if anyone trips over a dog, the dog is not on the leash and wandering about, or trying to illicit food from other customers, etc... I gather bans on them after 6pm are a norm for obvious reasons, drunks etc.... the same rule that applies to children.
Another issue is confusion when people can see the owner ISN'T blind at all but sighted, or partially sighted, they are not aware the deaf use them too, and its highly contentious the deaf should be entitled to the same rights as the blind as some were with own pets not trained dogs. There are cases too where people have pets with them claiming disabilities they don't have, e.g. the law allows 'emotional support' animals too, public areas then can decide banning them all covers most of the potential issues that can arise.
Another issue is confusion when people can see the owner ISN'T blind at all but sighted, or partially sighted, they are not aware the deaf use them too, and its highly contentious the deaf should be entitled to the same rights as the blind as some were with own pets not trained dogs. There are cases too where people have pets with them claiming disabilities they don't have, e.g. the law allows 'emotional support' animals too, public areas then can decide banning them all covers most of the potential issues that can arise.
One answer seems to be the OWNER carrying proof of entitlement to an assistance animal public domain restaurant/cafe owners can refer to. Or even as some suggest designated areas for them. Although this seems highly impracticable in reality.
Pets are obviously untrained dedicated animals. In the local club dogs for the deaf are often there and roam loose, and they are after food and everything, we humour that, but obviously in a public restaurant completely unacceptable. Just because they alert a deaf person to the front door, doesn't qualify them as being bona fide assistance animals.
Of course, people with dogs will not accept their dogs are ever a nuisance or problem or ever will. Maybe the dogs aren't, but their owners are, should we ban them?
