Posted on the 15th October 2025 in PHTM News

PARTIALLY SIGHTED MAN SCARED TO BOOK TAXIS AFTER GUIDE DOG INCIDENT IN SWINDON

Samuel Willder, 24, a partially sighted man from Swindon, has said he feels "scared to book taxis" following an "upsetting" experience where a driver initially refused to allow his guide dog, Bryony, into the vehicle.

Mr. Willder booked a night-time taxi from Veezu and described the driver’s initial reaction: "He refused and said, 'I'm not allowing any dogs into my car'." 

Although he explained that Bryony was a guide dog, the driver "still said: 'No, I'm not allowing guide dogs'."

After Mr. Willder informed the driver that refusing a guide dog is illegal, he was allowed into the car, but the journey remained unpleasant. He claimed the driver had an "argumentative mood" and was swearing.

Furthermore, the driver allegedly refused to assist him out of the vehicle and dropped him off at the wrong location.

Mr. Willder stated: "A car was very close to us when we got out, which could have been avoided if he'd helped me...I had to go and find a nearby site to see exactly where I was in town and then struggled to find myself back home."

The experience has left Mr. Willder feeling unsafe, saying: "I don't want another taxi to treat me the same way."

Jessica Luke, regional policy and campaigns manager at the charity Guide Dogs, stressed the seriousness of the issue, stating: "It's almost always illegal to refuse a guide dog. It's a deeply harmful form of discrimination." 

She added: "I think it's really important that staff training includes awareness of the rights of assistance dog owners."

A Veezu spokesperson confirmed that the company "took the allegation extremely seriously" and acknowledged that: "The driver's conduct fell short of expectations and he has been reminded of his legal obligations and duty of care towards all passengers."


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