’Tis traditionally the season of goodwill, but sadly not everywhere as one visually impaired lady from Tenby found out whilst out Christmas shopping.

Sue Canham was in Swansea last week when a taxi driver refused her fare because she had her guide dog with her.

Sue and Anjelo, a Labrador Retriever cross, only needed to go a short distance across the city, but were refused by the driver who was waiting at the front of the queue.

“He said he was allergic to dogs,” Sue told the Observer. “I told him I didn’t believe him and with that another taxi driver got out of his vehicle and said he would take my fare.”

Sue continued: “I have contacted the licensing department and have been told there is only one taxi driver who is exempt from carrying guide dogs because he is allergic and petrified, but it wasn’t him. He also has a card to prove it, but the taxi driver I encountered didn’t have any proof.”

Sue has been visually impaired for five years and has had Anjelo as her guide dog for four years.

“This was the first time I had ever been to Swansea,” explained Sue who moved to Tenby from Manchester seven years ago.

“Incidents like this really do take away my independence and it is so wrong. It’s discrimination and illegal to refuse a guide dog. I want to stand up for people like me who have guide dogs.

“I even had an overnight stay in hospital once and Anjelo was allowed to stay with me so being refused a taxi ride really is unfair.”

And she added: “I used to work as a part-time taxi driver in Manchester and when you are offering a public service, you can’t just pick and choose who you pick up.

“I would like to see all taxi drivers certified by doctors if they are allergic to dogs and taxi firms issued with cards to back this up.”

Sue has contacted Swansea City Council and Guide Dogs for the Blind about the matter and is awaiting their responses.