A blind woman was left standing on the streets of Glasgow after three taxi drivers refused to take her home because of her guide dog.
Allana Grant has been enjoying a night out with her partner Ian, 44, and guide dog, Felix, in the city centre on Saturday June 4.
Unable to secure a cab home through an app, the couple made their way down to the street cab rank outside Central station where a marshal helped them to the front of the queue.
But they were then knocked back by three different drivers who refused to take them due to Felix.
After waiting an hour, the 33-year-old was finally accepted by a fourth driver at around midnight.
Outraged Allana, from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, says the 'point-blank refusals' left her feeling 'sad'.
She told the Record: "The queue was enormous as you can imagine for a Saturday night.
"The taxi marshal came to get us and they took us to the front where they tried three cabs.
"He asked if the first three drivers were alright to take the dog and we just got point-blank refusal. It was just a straight-up no.
"It was sad but it has happened before, you kind of become a bit resigned to it because you know the authorities won't do anything about it.
"I don't see that I am asking for anything special - we're just trying to go about our business."
All three drivers are believed to be Glasgow City Council licence holders that operate independently.
The fourth cabbie, named Stef Shaw, from Glasgow, branded their service "disgusting" and called for them to be stripped of their badges.
He said: "The taxi drivers who refused this guide dog or those who have refused any guide dog should have their licences revoked immediately.
"They very obviously have no compassion or care for disabled people and are not the type we want to see in our trade."
Following the events, Allana believes the drivers' discriminatory actions have been caused by "complete misperceptions".
Under the Equality Act, it is a criminal offence to refuse guide dogs in taxis unless the driver has an exemption.
The only exception to this is if the driver has a medical exemption certificate from the licensing authority due to a genuine medical condition that is aggravated by exposure to canines.
Allana said: "There's absolutely no reason why drivers shouldn't take these dogs. As far as I am concerned, it is discrimination founded on complete misperceptions.
"People don't bother to find things out, the dogs are highly trained. If they weren't, they wouldn't be going in a car. If my dog had any problems I wouldn't take him into one.
"The dogs are clean. You're taught in training to groom them and that is done regularly.
"There really is no argument about the dogs making a mess or misbehaving."
Allana added: "It's sad that we are resigned to this not because it happens, but because nothing will be done about it.
"Drivers should try not to be so narrow-minded and challenge their perceptions.
"If you've got questions, come and ask me. I really don't mind answering them, as stupid as you might think they may be.
"I would rather be asked than have someone come to ill-judged conclusions and leave somebody potentially stranded."
Michael Moore, Policy & Campaigns Manager at Guide Dogs Scotland, said: “We are extremely disappointed to learn that a guide dog owner has been refused access to three separate taxis in Glasgow city centre.
"All blind and partially sighted people deserve to be able to live their lives the way they want and feel confident, independent and supported in the world.
“It is completely unacceptable and illegal for a service to refuse a customer with a guide dog, yet, sadly, it happens all too often.
"Our research shows that three-quarters of guide dog owners are illegally turned away and this discrimination can have such a damaging and lasting impact.
"We are always here to support our guide dog owners in dealing with these incidents.”
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "A spokesman for the council said: "This is a highly concerning incident.
"It is both a criminal offence and a breach of their licence for a taxi driver to refuse to take someone who is accompanied by a guide dog.
"If anyone has any information on this incident then we urge them to contact our taxi enforcement team and we will investigate."
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