Texy Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 A driver told a blind cancer sufferer to get off his bus when a woman and her children became hysterical at the sight of his guide dog. George Herridge, 71, told how the mum flew into a rage and shouted at him in a foreign language. A passenger explained she wanted him to get off the bus during the incident on May 20. Mr Herridge, from Tern Close, Tilehurst, said: “Her child was kicking and screaming and someone off the bus told me her child was frightened of my dog. The driver said, ‘Look mate, can’t you get off?’ “I stood my ground. I had not done anything, my dog had not done anything and I was getting off the bus for no one.†The retired NHS worker claimed he was forced off a bus by a driver after a similar encounter last summer. And a day after the latest bus incident an lady began screaming “I don’t like dirty dogs†at Mr Herridge at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. A week earlier he faced further animosity from a couple at Asda in The Meadway, he said. He is unsure what has provoked outbursts but said he thinks some have come from Asian people and that it may be due to religious or cultural differences. If the people who were upset were Muslim, they consider dogs to be ritually unclean. Some may have them as pets but keep them in a separate living area. Anything coming into contact with its saliva, such as clothes, must be washed seven times if they intend to pray in those clothes. Mr Herridge said: “I do not expect any special treatment but just to be left in peace and live my life the best I can.†Reading Buses accepted the driver was wrong but had been placed in an “impossible situationâ€. Drivers have been re-instructed to convey the blind and the bus company has sought advice from the Royal National Institute for the Blind and hopes to speak with Muslim leaders. As part of a Muslim Council of Britain project, Mufti Zubair Butt, Shar’ia advisor to Muslim Spiritual Care Provision in the NHS, admitted Muslims “require some education†on guide dogs. In response to concerns raised about guide dogs in mid-2008, he said: “It is important that one does not impose one’s own understanding upon others, but one shows understanding and compassion for others, their needs and their views, especially in an open communal space and in a country where Muslims are living as a minority.†source: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2051804_blind_passenger_hounded_off_bus_because_of_his_dog so these ppl think everyone has to go by their wish..when they are living in a western country...however when westerners or others live in middle east... they get no rights!
Desi Cartman Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 why couldnt the people who found it offensive/uncomfortable get off and wait for the next bus ?
yoda Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 seems like the driver asked the wrong people to get the **** off the bus.
Desi Cartman Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 btw the title reminded me of "how could she slap"
fineleg Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 btw the title reminded me of "how could she slap" flamy :bike:
flamy Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 btw the title reminded me of "how could she slap" :yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay:
CricketGirl Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 A driver told a blind cancer sufferer to get off his bus when a woman and her children became hysterical at the sight of his guide dog. George Herridge, 71, told how the mum flew into a rage and shouted at him in a foreign language. A passenger explained she wanted him to get off the bus during the incident on May 20. Mr Herridge, from Tern Close, Tilehurst, said: “Her child was kicking and screaming and someone off the bus told me her child was frightened of my dog. The driver said, ‘Look mate, can’t you get off?’ “I stood my ground. I had not done anything, my dog had not done anything and I was getting off the bus for no one.†The retired NHS worker claimed he was forced off a bus by a driver after a similar encounter last summer. And a day after the latest bus incident an lady began screaming “I don’t like dirty dogs†at Mr Herridge at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. A week earlier he faced further animosity from a couple at Asda in The Meadway, he said. He is unsure what has provoked outbursts but said he thinks some have come from Asian people and that it may be due to religious or cultural differences. If the people who were upset were Muslim, they consider dogs to be ritually unclean. Some may have them as pets but keep them in a separate living area. Anything coming into contact with its saliva, such as clothes, must be washed seven times if they intend to pray in those clothes. Mr Herridge said: “I do not expect any special treatment but just to be left in peace and live my life the best I can.†Reading Buses accepted the driver was wrong but had been placed in an “impossible situationâ€. Drivers have been re-instructed to convey the blind and the bus company has sought advice from the Royal National Institute for the Blind and hopes to speak with Muslim leaders. As part of a Muslim Council of Britain project, Mufti Zubair Butt, Shar’ia advisor to Muslim Spiritual Care Provision in the NHS, admitted Muslims “require some education†on guide dogs. In response to concerns raised about guide dogs in mid-2008, he said: “It is important that one does not impose one’s own understanding upon others, but one shows understanding and compassion for others, their needs and their views, especially in an open communal space and in a country where Muslims are living as a minority.†source: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2051804_blind_passenger_hounded_off_bus_because_of_his_dog so these ppl think everyone has to go by their wish..when they are living in a western country...however when westerners or others live in middle east... they get no rights! How ignorant is that!!! blindness can happen to anyone and guide dogs do a valuable job, they're trained NOT to harm anyone! oh well cant educate the ignorant!!
Brainfade Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 How ignorant is that!!! blindness can happen to anyone and guide dogs do a valuable job' date=' they're trained NOT to harm anyone! oh well cant educate the ignorant!![/quote'] My 3.5-yr old has an extreme fear of dogs. She is OK from afar, but when the animal approaches within 15 - 20 ft of her, she'll scream and generally become uncontrollable.. Try explaining to a 3-yr old that guide dogs have a valuable job. The adults should react differently: I would've picked up my daughter and left the bus so other passengers are not inconvenienced by the scene that she is creating or walked to a different part of the bus away from the creature. Glad I live in a place where I don't depend on public transportation. Minivans are awesome.
CricketGirl Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 My 3.5-yr old has an extreme fear of dogs. She is OK from afar, but when the animal approaches within 15 - 20 ft of her, she'll scream and generally become uncontrollable.. Try explaining to a 3-yr old that guide dogs have a valuable job. The adults should react differently: I would've picked up my daughter and left the bus so other passengers are not inconvenienced by the scene that she is creating or walked to a different part of the bus away from the creature. Glad I live in a place where I don't depend on public transportation. Minivans are awesome. ok i understand that and yes it would be hard to explain that to a 3yr old at the same time i respect the fact that you would've reacted differently :) My grandfather was blind and although he was blessed to have family that looked after him we were given the option of using guide dogs - and they are trained to course no harm :)
Brainfade Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 seems like the driver asked the wrong people to get the **** off the bus. So, let me ask - would you all feel differently if this was not a guide dog, but a generally annoying mutt?
yoda Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 So' date=' let me ask - would you all feel differently if this was not a guide dog, but a generally annoying mutt?[/quote'] ofc, don't even think it is legal to bring in non-guide dogs into public transportation. like you said the parent should have left the bus if their child can't understand the concept of guide dogs or can't stand dogs in general. asking a blind person to get off the bus is the worst thing one can do.
beetle Posted June 17, 2009 Posted June 17, 2009 What kind of parents do such insensitive asses make? sickos should be made to to walk.
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