West Palm Beach taxicab company agrees to transport service animals.
Score one for working dogs.
The Golden Cab Corporation of West Palm Beach has settled with the state regarding a complaint from a Lake Worth blind woman, who said a cab driver refused a ride to she and her guide dog because his taxi was not “properly equipped” to transport an animal.
The state sued under the federal American with Disabilities Act of 1990.
As part of the agreement, the company agreed to not to deny rides to any persons accompanied by service animals or to charge them additional for doing so, to notify all of its dispatchers and drivers about its service animal policy, and to post a sign in all of its vehicles, stating that service animals are welcome (not sure exactly how this will help blind customers, but…).
Golden Cab also agreed to pay a $1,000 penalty to each person filing a founded complaint in the future, plus a $1,000 civil penalty to the government.
The ADA allows service animals access to private business and other places where pets often are banned, including restaurants, hotels and supermarkets. This right extends to all animals assisting the disabled, not just guide dogs for the blind. Click here for a US Department of Justice fact sheet on the law and service animals.
MSNBC has reported problems recently with some Muslim cab drivers in Minneapolis refusing to rides to disabled customers with service dogs. Strict Muslims consider dogs unclean and the drivers said carrying the animals went against their beliefs.
The Palm Beach County case, however, did not have anything to do with religion.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
As many may know, I am disabled. I have MS, and spend some of my time in a wheelchair. I have a service dog, a Rottweiler named "A Good Dog's Ocean of Fun", AKA Largo---whom by the way, got her UKC Championship this past weekend!.
I also train service dogs for people with disabilities...
Not long ago, I went to an eatery in Lighthouse Point and was told I could not bring the dog in. Ha!....Don't even go there with me....Then, I was told I would have to sit outside....HA!...Don't even go there with me....Then, a lady behind me steps up, hands me her business card---she was an attorney---and said, very loudly, "Maam, I will be happy to sue this establishment on your behalf, should you desire that." Needless to say, I was seated shortly after.
Now, little do some know: It is a misdemeanor in the state of Florida to deny access to a service dog. And, if you intentionally injure or allow a dog that you control or are in charge of injure, it could be a felony charge, and you could be responsible for restitution.
In Florida, the law is actually a bit more lenient than the Federal law, in that, trainers of service dogs are also granted access rights.
But, please, folks, don't misrepresent your dogs as service dogs if they are not trained properly(they must be, according to the law, task trained) and you must be disabled, according to the law, and the dog must mitigate your disability.
To misrepresent, can cause problems to people with true disabilities, accompanied by service dogs.
Also, please remember, not all disabilities are visible.
Posted by: Karla Clinch | May 27, 2008 4:10 PM
Maybe Muslims shouldn't be cab drivers then? If I can't perform all duties of my job - it falls on me. Maybe the cab companies should realize that it's their responsibility to ensure thier drivers aren't breaking any laws.
Posted by: J.M.Gallo | May 28, 2008 9:15 AM
Please remember, that other people have rights too. Not just the disabled.
For instance, when I go to my allergist, I do not take my dog in. How cruel would that be to someone who was severely allergic to dogs?
When I go somewhere that I need a cab, I specifically ask for a non-Muslin driver. I understand that their religion prohibits them from interacting with dogs. That is fine. I respect that. So, I try to give the option to ride with someone who isn't afraid/doesn't like/is allergic too, my animals.
However, I will insist on my rights being respected, if there is no other alternative. Don't doubt that for an instant!
My mother doesn't like dogs in the house. Not because she doesn't like dogs, but because she can't clean up after them. So, when I visit her, my dogs(and sometimes me) sleep outside(camper). That is called respect.
Respect and rights are a two way street. Yes, I have the right to go into a store with my dog. The store owner and other patrons have the right to my not leaving fleas, dog hair, or other stuff behind....
I have the right to go out to eat with my dogs. The neighboring tables have the right to not have my dog shake when I leave and have dog dander land in their food.
Again, respect and courtesy goes a very, very long way....
Posted by: Karla Clinch | May 28, 2008 4:09 PM