A White Rock grandmother has lodged a complaint with TransLink after an incident with a driver that she says emphasizes the need for better awareness around the rights of accessibility afforded to service dogs.
Margaret Kay said she, her grandson Ryan King and his BC Guide Dog-certified yellow lab, Walter, tried to hop the westbound 361 community shuttle at Oxford Street and Marine Drive at 4:20 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 10), after Ryan became tired towards the end of their walk along the promenade. They wanted a two-block lift, to the Bay Street lot where Kay91裸聊视频檚 car was parked.
However, when the trio tried to board, the driver 91裸聊视频渟aid, 91裸聊视频業 can91裸聊视频檛 take your dog on the bus because he91裸聊视频檚 a pet,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Kay said.
91裸聊视频淚 said, 91裸聊视频楬e91裸聊视频檚 not a pet.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
The dog has been support for 20-year-old King, who is autistic, for the past seven years, Kay said. When out and about with King and Kay, the gentle canine wears a blue vest that identifies him as an autism support dog, and both King and Kay carry documentation that identifies them as certified to have Walter with them anywhere they go.
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Kay said despite showing that photo ID on Sunday, the shuttle driver remained adamant for 20 minutes that Walter wasn91裸聊视频檛 allowed.
91裸聊视频淭he shuttle doors didn91裸聊视频檛 open all the way,91裸聊视频� King told Peace Arch News. The driver 91裸聊视频渄idn91裸聊视频檛 want us on the bus.91裸聊视频�
It wasn91裸聊视频檛 until after another passenger pointed out a notice on the back of the driver91裸聊视频檚 seat that states service animals are permitted, that things changed, Kay said. The driver got out of his seat to read the notice, then allowed the three to board. He didn91裸聊视频檛 continue along the route, however, until after spending another five minutes reviewing the documentation that was previously offered, Kay said.
Then, after Ryan pushed the button to signal he and Kay wanted the Bay Street stop, the driver commented, 91裸聊视频渁ll that for two stops?91裸聊视频� she said.
91裸聊视频淚 think it91裸聊视频檚 important for people to be aware that service dogs do have public-access licence,91裸聊视频� Kay said.
TransLink confirmed Tuesday that a complaint regarding the incident was received and that Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) 91裸聊视频渨ill be looking into what happened.91裸聊视频�
PAN was also pointed to TransLink91裸聊视频檚 policy for service animals, which states certified assistance animals 91裸聊视频渁re allowed on public transit at all times.91裸聊视频� The policy adds that the animals must be harnessed and leashed, and passengers with them must be prepared to produce their Guide Animal Certificate.
Certification 91裸聊视频渋ncreases public safety, raises training standards and improves public access for dog and handler teams,91裸聊视频� according to the provincial Guide Dog and Service Dog Act.
The Act also stipulates that a guide-dog team, service-dog team or dog-in-training team 91裸聊视频渕ay, in the same manner as would an individual who is not a member of any of those teams, enter and use any place, accommodation, building or conveyance to which the public is invited or has access.91裸聊视频�
A penalty of up to $3,000 can be levied for refusing a certified guide or service dog access. By the same token, falsely representing a dog as a guide or service dog can also result in a fine of up to $3,000.
Kay said incident is an opportunity to educate the public about the rights of service dogs and the individuals they are supporting. What she, King and Walter experienced Sunday was 91裸聊视频渘ot at all91裸聊视频� acceptable, she said.
tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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