In my Law & Order: Special Dog Unit post last October, I wrote about testifying against a cab driver who refused to pick Hanni and me up. That very morning, when Mike helped me hail a cab to go to court, another cab driver refused to pick me up with my Seeing Eye dog.
A cab slowed down, the driver looked past Mike and saw me standing there with Hanni. “No dog,” he said.
“It’s a Seeing Eye dog,” Mike explained. “A service dog.”
“No dog,” the driver said.
Mike was angry. “You’re going to court!” he shouted at the driver
“I don’t care,” the driver said, then sped away.
I was somewhat reluctant to report this second cab driver. Going to court the first time was not fun, and I didn’t want to have to go back. But I filed anyway. I figured if word got around that drivers were getting fined for refusing service dogs, maybe I wouldn’t have to file any more complaints after this one.
Good news arrived in our mailbox this week. I guess this second guy pleaded guilty?
re: CSR#07-01972211
DOAH docket number: 08CS00267ADear Beth Finke:
This letter is the final update of the Department of Consumer Services investigation of the prosecution of the cab driver you reported for investigation. The Department of Consumer Services (the Department) investigated your complaint, and…the cab driver was found liable of violating the municipal code of Chicago. Accordingly, fines and penalties were imposed on the cab driver.
Thank you for reporting this cab driver…your participation is assisting the departmen’ts goal towards 100% clean and safe cabs and 100% courteous and safe cab drivers.
Sometimes the things you wish for really do come true. Hanni and I never did have to go to court to testify against that second driver, and we haven’t had a cab driver refuse us since I filed that second complaint.
Excellent news! Perhaps there is a newspaper story (or radio spot) in this. Service dogs stand up (on all fours) for their rights.
Right on, sister. Hanni is raising her paw right now to give you an e-high-five.
You’ve made Morris Frank a happy man! It is indeed good news.
Feel good about all of the others you have helped in this situation! Great news!
Gee, I was already feeling pretty darned good after the comment about Morris Frank — he is the very first American to work with a Seeing Eye dog, imagine the obstacles he had to face! And now, with this last comment, I get to “feel good about all the others I have helped in this situation.”
THANKS for the comments, you guys – I’m heading to the stereo player to find my Little Richard CD. I feel good!
PS: hanni does, too.
[…] service. Contact the City of Chicago office that handles such complaints, online or by phone. I’ve done it, and it works. And the ongoing enforcement helps keep taxi drivers honest (I’m happy to report that […]
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