Following a long and intensive campaign by the guide dog association, lawmakers in the Netherlands now have to change the country’s taxi laws to allow these dogs to ride in taxis.
The blind, who complained that often taxi drivers refuse to let them take their dogs with them in the taxicabs, wanted a stop to these practices. Excuses like ‘the dog will make my taxi dirty’ or ‘my religion doesn’t allow me to take dogs in my taxi’ will no longer be tolerated. Taking guide dogs will be mandatory.
But which dogs? It’s not a laughing matter, but a small ‘dogfight’ ensued as the guide dog association celebrated its victory and another association quickly launched a press release: “People with different ailments who use service dogs, should also be included.” The lawmakers will now have to decide which dogs can travel in taxis…. wf
