A TAXI driver could be banned from taking his dog to work with him.

Bruce Parmenter, of Station Road, Northfleet, is angry at a proposal by Gravesham Council which could prevent taxi drivers in the area from having their animals in the car with them.

Mr Parmenter, 44, said: “My dog Mazie has been coming to work with me for the last 14 months and now the council want to stop her.

“I have been told by Gravesham Council that it is not best practice to have a dog in the driver's compartment of my cab.”

Mr Parmenter is self-employed and drives a hackney carriage, which he operates out of Phoenix taxis in Gravesend.

He said: “I decided to buy a London style taxi, so I could take my dog to work with me as a deterrent from any passengers who are trouble-makers.

“In the taxi the driver's compartment and the passengers' compartment is separate, so Mazie sits in the front with me away from the customers.”

Mazie, a two-year-old boxer dog, accompanies Mr Parmenter on nearly all of his journeys.

Mr Parmenter said that he has had no complaints from customers, and has been told by some that they feel safer having her in the car with them.

Mr Parmenter said: “Mazie is a mild-mannered and good-tempered dog, who loves being in the car.

“She is very quiet and doesn’t intimidate customers in any way.

“I bring her with me not only for the safety aspect, but also for the company.”

Gravesham Council launched a 10-week consultation on a wide-ranging set of regulations for taxis and private hire cars on September 19.

A spokesman said: “The draft regulations do refer to animals and would have the effect of now permitting animals belonging to the driver travelling in the cars.

“The item banning animals in the cabs was put there on safety grounds.

“It was felt a dog might distract the driver.

“There are also concerns about people with allergies to animals but the main reason is safety.”

The cabinet and the overview scrutiny committee will discuss the final report at the end of November.

People who want to get involved in the consultation should write to Gravesham Borough Council, Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1AU.