Cab driver fined, suspended after refusing service dog access in Calgary | 24CA News

Getting right into a cab is a seemingly atypical expertise —however not for Kim Kilpatrick and her service canine Ginger whereas visiting Calgary from their house in Ottawa.

Kilpatrick stated the taxi driver didn’t need Ginger to get in his car.

“She’s a yellow Labrador. She’s three and a half. And she’s my fifth guide dog,” Kilpatrick advised Global News. “She’s a great little dog. She’s a very serious, conscientious worker.”

Kilpatrick and Ginger are in Calgary performing Raising Stanley/Life with Tulia, a present about information canine at Lunchbox Theatre. She’s a visually-impaired storyteller and incapacity rights activist.

After a efficiency on Sunday, Kilpatrick ordered a trip from Calgary United Cabs by way of an app — one thing she’s performed earlier than with out problem whereas visiting the town.

Stepping outdoors Calgary Tower, a sighted colleague noticed the cab waited throughout the road, so Ginger guided Kilpatrick throughout and her colleague adopted.

“As we got closer, (the driver) said, ‘No dogs in the car,’” Kilpatrick recalled. “And we each stated, ‘This is illegal. You need to take the dog. This is a guide dog. This is a service dog.’

“He stated, ‘You can put the dog in the trunk.’ We stated, ‘No, absolutely not.’

“Then he said, ‘I don’t want any dog hair in my car.’”

She cancelled the cab — a cancellation that later confirmed as “unable to find” Kilpatrick — and acquired one other taxi. But she was confronted with extra pushback from the dispatcher.

“The dispatcher told me I had to book a pet-friendly cab and not all drivers like dogs in their car,” Kilpatrick stated.

“And I told him this is illegal, too. This is not right.”

1:47Concerns being raises about taxi drivers refusing service canine

Kilpatrick then known as 311 to register a grievance into the city-regulated cab trade.

Proclaimed into regulation in 2009, Alberta’s Service Dogs Act enshrines the rights of individuals with disabilities who’re accompanied by certified service canine to enter any location the place most people is allowed. There is comparable municipal and federal laws enshrining these rights.

Calgary United Cabs stated Kilpatrick’s expertise with their driver was “totally unfortunate” and the corporate has a zero tolerance coverage for all these incidents.

“The company suspended the driver immediately after receiving the credible information and (City of Calgary’s Vehicle for Hire office) imposed a $700 fine on him,” a Calgary United Cabs spokesperson stated in an announcement.

“Although the Livery allowed him to drive, the company extended the suspension for additional 12 hours and directed him to redo the necessary training in the office.”

The cab firm stated it despatched out a message to its complete fleet that refusing a trip to service canine would end in termination.

“We wish to meet Ms. Kilpatrick directly and extend our management’s support and apologies to her.”

The metropolis’s car for rent workplace stated there’s “no excuse” for refusing a information canine.

1:56Alberta group helps present service canine for veterans and first responders

“By not providing the service, you’re not following the Service Dogs Act and you are also potentially putting both the person and the service dog at risk, and nobody wants to see that,” a metropolis spokesperson stated.

City bylaws say any business that doesn’t enable a service canine might face a tremendous of $1,000, and cabs could possibly be hit with a $700 penalty.

“We encourage anyone refused service to contact 311.”

Kilpatrick stated Ginger provides her freedom to maneuver around the globe safely, and is a companion in her life.

Sandra Cramer with the B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs has seen how service canine assist allow independence.

“A lot of times these people are just not able to navigate without that dog. So if they’re ever denied access anywhere, it makes that whole process even harder,” Cramer advised Global News.

Kilpatrick, a former para-swimmer and present blind rights advocate, stored a little bit of humour across the incident.

“It is a bit ironic that we’re doing a show about guide dogs and this happened, but I’m just glad that the city took it seriously.”

2:13Edmonton lady and repair canine get caught ready for trip

This isn’t the primary time such an incident has occurred in Alberta not too long ago.

In late December, a girl who makes use of a wheelchair and a service canine and was stranded outdoors Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton when the taxi firm she booked by no means confirmed.

Another lady advised Global News she is submitting a grievance with the Alberta Human Rights Commission towards a special taxi firm, saying its drivers denied a number of rides to her and her service canine in Leduc, Alta. in December as nicely.

1:47Concerns being raises about taxi drivers refusing service canine

— With information from Phil Heidenreich, Global News

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