Dear Mr. Heaton,

Freedom of Information Request 65038

I refer to your request made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 in which you requested information regarding the carriage of registered assistance dogs in licensed taxi's in Liverpool.

The duty to carry a passenger and a registered assistance dog lies statutorily with the local authority. A taxicab or private hire driver must take assistance dogs and carers where appropriate or the authority will prosecute as an offence has been committed if it is a hackney carriage, and a breach of condition of licence in respect of private hire vehicles.

A driver can only refuse to take a passenger with an assistance dog if that driver has been issued with an exemption certificate by the licensing authority. This permit is usually issued on medical grounds based on the declaration of a medical practitioner. To date Liverpool City Council has issued no such exemptions to any of the 4500 licensed drivers in Liverpool. No official complaints have been received claiming that drivers have refused to carry assistance dogs. If a complaint were registered, the Licensing Authority would pursue a prosecution against the driver.

All drivers are aware of the duty place upon them in relation to assistance dogs and the Enforcement Officers employed by the authority are also mindful of that duty and will enforce any breach through the courts.

I trust this information satisfies your enquiry.

Yours sincerely

W Twigge (pp)

Information Manager

Liverpool City Council

Wendy Twigge Information Manager Legal Services

Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2DH

tel: 0151 225 3132 fax: 0151 225 2392 email: [email address]