A taxi driver has been fined after refusing to carry a blind man and his guide dog.
Gulzar Hussain, who works for Huddersfield Cars, was caught in a “sting” operation after being dispatched to the job at the town’s Railway Station.
When he saw the passenger’s pet he told him that he would not take him due to “allergies”.
He was caught breaking the law as the booking was made by Kirklees licensing officers conducting checks.
Hussain, of Bleasdale Avenue in Birkby, pleaded guilty at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court to failing to accept a booking for a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog.
The prosecution was brought under the Equality Act 2010.
Miles Barker, prosecuting on behalf of Kirklees Council, said: “ There are members of society who need the help of assistance dogs.
To ensure they are not discriminated against checks are made.
“Officers from the licensing service for Kirklees conduct operations every now and then to ensure that the laws relating to taxis are complied with.”
Council officers and police were conducting one of these checks in Huddersfield on the afternoon of July 25.
They were in St George’s Square when Hussain’s Skoda Octavia private hire car pulled up.
Mr Barker said: “The police officers approached the passenger side of the taxi and they had with them the person with his assistance dog.
“The taxi driver said he was willing to take the officers to Briar Court.
“But when the door was opened to allow the dog and its user to get into the car Mr Hussain asked if the journey would include the dog.
“He said: ‘No, no, no, allergy’ and flatly refused to allow the assistance dog into the car.”
Hussain confirmed his refusal to licensing officers and was ordered to attend court.
He said that his wife had undergone a kidney transplant and, as she also travelled in the car, he was concerned that having animals in the car would cause her problems.
The office manager of Huddersfield Cars confirmed that Hussain, who had worked for the firm for 15 years, had asked not to have jobs involving guide dogs passed onto him.
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But magistrates were told that, while taxi drivers could apply for this exemption on medical grounds, Hussain had failed to do so.
The 49-year-old’s application would not have been granted anyway as the concerns were relating to his wife and not him.
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Magistrates ordered him to pay £200 fine, £216 prosecution costs, £150 court charge and £20 victim surcharge.
