A TAXI firm claimed it does know the law over guide dogs and that a blind man being refused a ride was a ‘misunderstanding’.

Ian Francis, from West Oxford, was hung up on when he asked A2B Oxford Taxi for a lift last week and was told the firm does not take dogs.

But the company, now being investigated by Oxford City Council, said it knew the law ‘very well’ and always provided services for people with disabilities.

A company statement read: “The phone call was answered by a new trainee operator who due to hearing and English language difficulties misunderstood the customer and failed to hear that the customer’s dog was a guide dog.

“The operator followed the general company policy of no dogs in the taxi rather than guide dogs.”

It added: “We know the law very well and always provide service to customers with any disabilities.”