- By Jessica Moriarty
- Local Democracy Reporting Service
Image supply, Edward Jones
Mr Jones stated that his psychological well being help canine had “saved his life”
A disabled man who had collapsed from exhaustion says he was refused taxi companies due to his help canine.
Edward Jones, 46, is registered disabled on account of a long-term continual sickness which impacts his mobility.
On two events, he was ignored by “no less than eight taxis” exterior Chippenham Railway Station due to his canine.
Wiltshire Council stated it’s unlawful for taxis to refuse to hold help dogs and the incident is being investigated.
Mr Jones described the occasions as “devastating and humiliating” as he was unable to stand up from the pavement.
On 27 November he was exiting Chippenham railway station when he collapsed on his approach to the taxi rank exterior on account of extreme fatigue.
In ache and unable to maneuver, he started calling to close by taxis and waving his walking stick within the air for assist.
The drivers refused to take Mr Jones due to his canine – a two-year-old Teacup Shih Tzu named George- who helps him together with his psychological well being.
Great Western Railway stated they had been “dissatisfied” to listen to of Mr Jones’ expertise at their station
“The solely factor that stops me breaking is being with my boy and getting out in contemporary air,” Mr Jones defined.
“He’s saved my life, as a result of he makes me get out day-after-day.”
Despite this, Mr Jones waited on the bottom for what “felt like properly over half an hour”, struggling ache in his legs which he described as a “burning from the within out”.
“I used to be bawling as a result of I used to be so drained. I actually thought I’m not going to have the ability to get home,” he stated.
Image supply, Edward Jones
Mr Jones’ canine is a two-year-old Teacup Shih Tzu breed
Mr Jones has since been too nervous to try related journeys and describes feeling trapped and remoted in a brand new city.
He stated: “For a human being to scoff and giggle at a disabled person and say, ‘we do not have to take you wherever’, particularly when they’re collapsed on the ground. I am unable to be the one one.”
Cllr Caroline Thomas, cupboard member for transport at Wilshire Concil, stated: “We are sorry to listen to about this incident.
“Our taxi coverage is evident that information dogs and help dogs have to be carried, and it’s unlawful to refuse to take action.
“We take this matter very significantly and are investigating this particular criticism.”
Great Western Railway stated they had been “dissatisfied” to listen to of Mr Jones’ expertise at their station.
