Gozo man ‘stranded’ after fast ferry refuses guide dog – on world disability day

Updated 2.25pm

A blind man from Gozo missed the launch of a disability awareness photographic exhibition he featured in because the fast ferry crew did not allow his guide dog onboard, on the grounds that “all pets should be muzzled”.

Michael Xerri, 65, said he felt “stranded” as he heard the door of the ferry close in front of him and his Labrador Bluey on Wednesday, which happened to be International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

“A guide dog is not a pet,” Xerri told Times of Malta.

“To me, it is like having someone help me find my way around. Without him, I lose my independence,” he said.

A spokesperson for the fast ferry service said that they had taken note of the issue.

“We confirm that the crew did not allow the dog on without a muzzle. Now we have issued instructions that guide dogs will be allowed onboard without a muzzle.”

The ferry spokesperson clarified it was not company policy to refuse the embarkation of the guide dog, but was an initiative taken by a crew member. 

The incident happened on a day meant to spread awareness about people with disabilities.

Michael had been hoping to attend the launch of a photographic exhibition that included an image of him and his former guide dog Justy, who has since died. Photo: Rene Rossignaud

Xerri, who lost his eyesight completely in his 40s, explained that on Wednesday morning he was giving awareness talks at some schools in Gozo.

He then headed off to get the 4.45pm fast ferry to Valletta together with a German friend who also has a visual impairment.

They were headed to the launch of an awareness-raising exhibition titled Disability through the Lens: Our Life Stories at St James Cavalier in Valletta, organised by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability.

The photographic exhibition, which runs until January 4, shows 23 people with disabilities photographed along the years in their daily lives.

Xerri, with his former guide dog Justy, is the subject of one of the photos, so he was invited to the launch.

But at the Gozo terminal Xerri was told he could not get on unless he muzzled Bluey – the guide dog he’s had for about six months.

He then heard the door close, and the ferry leaving without them. He called a representative from the commission as there was someone waiting for him in Valletta to drive him to the event.

Waiting an hour for the next ferry did not make sense so he went home.

'Highly discriminatory'

Disability commissioner Rhoda Garland said this was “highly discriminatory” and the commission had launched an investigation.

She noted that, over the last year, the commission faced several cases of guide dogs not being recognised for their role.

People who used guide dogs complained about not being allowed access in certain restaurants, supermarkets and taxis. In one case, an individual with an accredited assistance dog was stopped by a Visit Malta official from accessing Għadira Bay.

Posts on the Animal Welfare Malta platform stating that dogs are not allowed on sandy beaches and Blue Flag beaches created confusion and concern among service users, many of whom were fearful or hesitant to visit the beach, when accompanied by their service dog.

“These dogs are not pets. They are assistance animals,” she stressed.

'Immediate steps will be taken'

Following the publication of the article, Gozo Highspeed Limited issued a statement to "sincerely apologise" for the incident.

"Gozo Highspeed Limited would like to sincerely apologise to the passenger involved in the recent incident regarding the boarding of a guide dog. The company fully recognises the importance of assistance animals in supporting the independence and mobility of their owners, and we regret that this situation caused inconvenience and distress," they said.

They added they are "committed to providing an accessible and respectful service to all passengers and following this incident, we are taking immediate steps to review and clarify our internal policies to ensure that this does not reoccur."