A WOMAN from Poole has criticised taxi drivers after she was refused transport no less than five times because of her dog.

Sue Davis said she was surprised when a number of taxi drivers wouldn't transport her and her dog when she tried to get home from Poole town centre on a night out.

It's happened on a number of occasions, she claims, as she's tried to climb into the cab with Lulu - a six-month-old Cockapoo.

She also claimed one of the drivers even cited religion as a reason not to take her dog, though this was not substantiated by the council.

"We sometimes go down to the Quay for a couple of drinks," Ms Davis said. "One day it was raining and we went to get a taxi at Orchard Plaza by Sainsbury's. I went to the first one and they said "no dogs". This happened on three separate occasions. We've been down town and came back and they won't pick us up."

A spokesperson for Poole Borough Council said: "Dogs can be carried in taxi and private hire vehicles, usually in the rear of the vehicle. A charge of 20p per dog can be added to the cost of the journey.

"They can be refused if the animal is of such size or behaviour that carrying it could be likely to cause damage to the vehicle or affect the safe driving of the vehicle.

"It is possible for a licensed driver to apply for an exemption to carry dogs on medical grounds such as severe asthma or allergies which are aggravated by contact with dogs, or acute phobia of dogs. Following confirmation from the applicant’s GP an exemption certificate is then issued which must be displayed in the vehicle."

A long-established taxi driver from Poole, who asked not to be named, said: "It's down to the individual taxi driver if they take dogs or not. You will get drivers that will take some dogs but not others and not many will take a Red Setter just off the beach, for example.

"No body can refuse an assistance dog unless they have an exemption certificate from the council."