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Guide dog is banned on bus: council's health and safety rules cause stir
A VISUALLY-IMPAIRED bowls team has been denied a council minibus after they asked to take a guide dog on board.
Brighouse-based Pennine Bowling Club for the visually impaired had booked a council minibus to take them to Preston to play in the national triples bowls championship.
Club secretary John Newcombe was then told health and safety rules meant they could not take a dog with them.
Mr Newcombe said: "The council said because it's not a public vehicle but a council vehicle we could not have a guide dog on it due to health and safety reasons.
"I am absolutely staggered that Calderdale Council, with a policy on equal opportunities, equality and no discrimination, have a transport department which says we can't actually use the vehicle because we cannot take the guide dog.
"What are people with guide dogs supposed to do?"
Mr Newcombe said: "We had to go by train and taxis. It cost us a fortune."
Guide dog Jacob has travelled the world with his owner medal-winning bowls player John Rix. Mr Rix said Jacob has even flown with him to South Africa and Australia, sitting on the seat next to him.
Council transport manager Paul Topham said: "This is the first request we have had of this nature and unfortunately, the council did not have the restraining equipment necessary for carrying the dog safely."
He said the group would not have been covered under their insurance if Jacob had travelled with them.
"We're really sorry for the inconvenience this has caused," said Mr Topham.
He said the council was now looking into buying the correct equipment to carry guide dogs.
Mr Newcombe said: "There is no necessity for Calderdale, or any other council, to have restraining equipment for guide dogs."
The team won their match 14 ends to 11. They will now go through to the national finals in September.
Mr Newcombe made an appeal for any volunteers who can help drive the group to events to come forward.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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