Dog leash goths 'hounded off bus'

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

A goth who leads his girlfriend around with a dog lead and collar was stopped from getting on a bus amid fears for passenger safety, a bus firm confirmed.

Dani Graves, 25, and his fiancee Tasha Maltby, 19, of Dewsbury, West Yorks, claim they have been discriminated against by bus firm Arriva Yorkshire.

The black-clad couple said they had been told to leave one bus and prevented from boarding another.

The bus firm said safety came first, but it was investigating the complaint.

Mr Graves told BBC Look North: "We're used to strange looks, we're used to comments.

She's very animal like, she's kind of like a pet, as well as a partner

Dani Graves

"But we didn't expect it from someone like that. They're providing a public service. We had our bus passes, we did everything that you are supposed to do to get on a bus."

Miss Maltby said she came up with the idea to wear a dog lead, and said previous boyfriends had called her a "weirdo" when she suggested it.

The couple said they "loved each other to pieces" and the use of the lead was a "sign of trust".

Mr Graves said: "She's very animal like, she's kind of like a pet, as well as a partner."

He said he "does everything" for his girlfriend, including laying out clothes for her, feeding her and cleaning their house.

He said: "You wouldn't expect your cat or dog to do the washing up or cleaning round the house."

Firm apology

Bus operator Arriva claimed other passengers could be put at risk if the bus braked sharply.

Operations director for Arriva Yorkshire, Paul Adcock, said: "Arriva takes any allegation of discrimination very seriously and have interviewed the driver regarding Mr Graves' claims.

"Our primary concern is passenger safety and while the couple are very welcome to travel on our buses, we are asking that Miss Maltby remove her dog lead before boarding the bus.

"It could be dangerous for the couple and other passengers if a driver had to brake sharply while Miss Maltby was wearing the lead."

The company said it was writing to Mr Graves "to apologise for any distress caused by the way this matter was handled".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england...ord/7204543.stm

[panamania79 2]

A goth who leads his girlfriend around with a dog lead and collar was stopped from getting on a bus amid fears for passenger safety, a bus firm confirmed.

Dani Graves, 25, and his fiancee Tasha Maltby, 19, of Dewsbury, West Yorks, claim they have been discriminated against by bus firm Arriva Yorkshire.

The black-clad couple said they had been told to leave one bus and prevented from boarding another.

The bus firm said safety came first, but it was investigating the complaint.

Mr Graves told BBC Look North: "We're used to strange looks, we're used to comments.

She's very animal like, she's kind of like a pet, as well as a partner

Dani Graves

"But we didn't expect it from someone like that. They're providing a public service. We had our bus passes, we did everything that you are supposed to do to get on a bus."

Miss Maltby said she came up with the idea to wear a dog lead, and said previous boyfriends had called her a "weirdo" when she suggested it.

The couple said they "loved each other to pieces" and the use of the lead was a "sign of trust".

Mr Graves said: "She's very animal like, she's kind of like a pet, as well as a partner."

He said he "does everything" for his girlfriend, including laying out clothes for her, feeding her and cleaning their house.

He said: "You wouldn't expect your cat or dog to do the washing up or cleaning round the house."

Firm apology

Bus operator Arriva claimed other passengers could be put at risk if the bus braked sharply.

Operations director for Arriva Yorkshire, Paul Adcock, said: "Arriva takes any allegation of discrimination very seriously and have interviewed the driver regarding Mr Graves' claims.

"Our primary concern is passenger safety and while the couple are very welcome to travel on our buses, we are asking that Miss Maltby remove her dog lead before boarding the bus.

"It could be dangerous for the couple and other passengers if a driver had to brake sharply while Miss Maltby was wearing the lead."

The company said it was writing to Mr Graves "to apologise for any distress caused by the way this matter was handled".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england...ord/7204543.stm

Long live S & M

[Amby 490]

yummy

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

Not sure how it would present a safety risk to them or to other passengers since I would imagine they would sit side by side with the leash held loosely in his hand.

Not sure I'd want to wear a leash in public, but I don't see anything wrong with it. They both seem happy with the arrangement.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Even if it does present a genuine safety risk the bus driver was out of line in how he reacted. But that's Yorkshire bus drivers for you! Their attitude plus the 100% fare increase over the past three years has ensured that I'll never take the bus again.

[Reba 2]

Long live S & M

actually sounds more of a dominant/submissive relationship.

[Krikit 1,163]

He said he "does everything" for his girlfriend, including laying out clothes for her, feeding her and cleaning their house.

He said: "You wouldn't expect your cat or dog to do the washing up or cleaning round the house."

Hey, if someone wanted to do all the cooking and cleaning at my house I'd probably wear a leash for them too. I wonder if he cleans her litter.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That's got to be pretty embarrassing for the girl's parents seeing their daughter on national TV being lead around on a leash.

I'm sure that's a dream come true for some men... can't say its my bag.

[tom&tata 2]

She is not properly trained.

[almaty 19]

if it don't hurt..then it is not love...

[eric&gen 0]

They are both doing too many drugs or need some serious mental help.

[Sister Fracas 5]

just found a piccie of the pair.... I honestly think the whole thing is silly, they hardly look dangerous...

Edited January 25, 2008 by Sister Fracas

[gwenneh 7]

Not sure how it would present a safety risk to them or to other passengers since I would imagine they would sit side by side with the leash held loosely in his hand.

Not sure I'd want to wear a leash in public, but I don't see anything wrong with it. They both seem happy with the arrangement.

As a former leash-wearer (hey, isn't college fun!), the problem isn't when you're sitting down, but when you're standing up (as you often may do on the bus) and the bus stops short...you're still attached to that leash. On a crowded bus, you may inadvertently clothesline other passengers before your flight is abruptly halted by some leather and metal attached to your neck.

Fun, but I bet the resulting lawsuits would probably not be.

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

just found a piccie of the pair.... I honestly think the whole thing is silly, they hardly look dangerous...

i wonder if she pizzes on fire hydrants too.

[eric&gen 0]

She gives golden showers.