Our Ref:          FOI-3101-1819

Thank you for your request received on 14 February 2019 asking for information about prosecutions and complaints regarding refusals to carry assistance dogs.
 
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
 
1. How many prosecutions have you sought for taxi drivers for failing to carry an assistance dog in the last five years? How many prosecutions have been successful?
 
It is wholly unacceptable for a taxi or private hire driver to refuse a passenger’s fare because they were accompanied by an assistance dog, unless there are proven medical grounds. We take a zero tolerance approach and encourage anyone that has experienced a situation like this to report it immediately so we can investigate. There have been no prosecutions against taxi drivers for failing to carry an assistance dog.
 
2. How many prosecutions have you sought for private hire vehicle drivers for failing to carry an assistance dog in the last five years? How many prosecutions have been successful?
 
There have been 54 cases, of which 47 were successful.
 
3. How many complaints have you received for failure to carry an assistance dog in the last five years?
 
From February 2015 there have been a total of 168 complaints. We do not hold information prior to this date.
 
4. How many complaints have you received from a minicab or taxi company for failure to carry an assistance dog?
 
Since October 2018 we have had 11 complaints. We do not hold information prior to this date as it was not recorded.
 
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
 
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]