A Leicester taxi driver has been fined for refusing to take a blind man and his guide dog - due to his allergy to animal hair. Gul Nazim Ahmadzai drove off from his passenger when he saw the man was accompanied by an assistance dog in December last year.
Mahomed Khatri was left waiting at Leicester Royal Infirmary for a second taxi after Ahmadzai refused to take him.
Mr Khatri had been at the hospital all night with his unwell sister when a nurse ordered a taxi for him at around 4.20am on December 23, 2016, Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard.
Ahmadzai pleaded guilty to failing or refusing to accept a booking by a disabled person with an assistance dog.
After entering his plea, he was keen to stress to the court that he did not have a problem with animals and there were no cultural difficulties.
All taxi drivers are required to accept passengers with assistance dogs, unless they have been granted an exemption certificate by the council.
