Human Pet Thrown off Bus - UK

[Dreamliner]

Interesting news report:

'Human pet' wearing dog leash thrown off bus
8:44AM Thursday January 24, 2008

LONDON - A British bus company has apologised to a girl who is led around on a leash by her boyfriend and describes herself as a human pet after one of its drivers threw her off a bus.

Tasha Maltby, 19, told British newspapers she was the "pet" of her 25-year-old fiance Dani Graves.

Pictures showed her dressed in black Gothic-style clothing with silver buckles on a silver chain - which the driver of a bus from the firm Arriva took exception to.

She told the Daily Mail newspaper on Wednesday she was thrown off and told: "We don't let freaks and dogs like you on."

Arriva would not comment on specifics but said it apologised if the couple felt they had been discriminated against. It added, however, that the driver was worried about safety and the company told Maltby to take the leash off in the future.

"We have spoken to the driver who has talked about health and safety," a spokesman said. "Should she be attached to a chain and something happens on the bus, that could be dangerous. All we are saying is that she is very welcome to use the buses but not when she is on her lead."

"I am a pet," she told the Daily Mail. "I generally act animal-like and I lead a really easy life. I don't cook or clean and I don't go anywhere without Dani. It might seem strange but it makes us both happy. It's my culture and my choice. It isn't hurting anyone."

 

[SinfulSailor]

Well, if she's not a seeing-eye dog then she was treated perfectly in role.

(Assuming that in the UK, as in the USA, dogs who are not used to aid an impaired person are widely prohibited on buses.)

 

[LLs Man]

Dogs are generally allowed on buses over here, on or off the leash (though usually on as they're easier to control).

 

[Xelebes]

Posted in the cafe, but it'll probably get more responses here.

The article also got posted in the Goth Girls thread in the Cafe.

 

[catalina_francisco]

They came off as a bit rude themselves, and I am suspecting it is more about getting attention than any real need to be accepted by others in their respective roles. Maybe I am just getting jaded, but we do live in a society where like it or not we are expected to try and blend more so than set out to outrage. If someone wants to rock the boat by acting publicly in a way they know is going to not only force others to witness their kink, but draw attention to them in various ways, they also have to accept the right of others to object to having to be exposed to and part of their choice of lifestyle. Sort of reminds me of when Kailey who posted here felt it should be possible for her to walk around in front of children naked, or as a puppy with her PYL, or any other number of acts in public places, and that people should not have the right to object or even feel outraged. By all means do it if it means so much to you, but don't run crying when it backfires on you and you have to pay the consequences.

Catalina

 

[marieR19]

Sooooooooooo totally agree with what Catalina said. Completely.


Heather

 

[Tyr51]

Add me to the list of Catalina fans...

 

[Novelust]

Most people could see that coming, although to me, the fault lays not with the girl but with her Dom. Why put your pet in such a position? Do you not trust her? Or has your sadism gone so far that private humiliation isn't enough, you need to nationally humiliate her?
Bad form, it seems disrespectful and unnecessary.

 

[JamieB]

Very well said, Catalina

Some people have to pick a fight to feel like they're defending their individuality.

J

 

[N_B]

Most people could see that coming, although to me, the fault lays not with the girl but with her Dom. Why put your pet in such a position? Do you not trust her? Or has your sadism gone so far that private humiliation isn't enough, you need to nationally humiliate her?
Bad form, it seems disrespectful and unnecessary.

Meh, I'm new here, and only moderately exposed to the concept of power play, but it's not always the dominate's sole choice to do things like that. If the submissive specificly asked for it, then it's her choice, and he was just aiding in that fantasy's fulfillment.

But again, I willing concede to the opinion of those with more experience than I, because, again, I'm just a clueless newb.

 

[the captians wench]

I have dreamed of the day when I could walk in public with a leash on my collar. I don't know what it is, but some how it just makes me feel secure, pertected perhaps. It's sort of like a security blanket, but just as I had to leave my binky at home while I went to school, I have to leave the leash at home when I go running about town. Some things are just not okay in the public eye, and not all of it is as extream as wearing a leash. I was repremanded yesterday at work because my socks have frogs, or hearts, or other some such things on them. We are expected to portray a certian image in certain places, and while I love my funky socks, I'll have to keep them for my days off.

Maybe some day it will be acceptable to be walked down the street, but for now I'll have to be happy to do it at goth nights at the local clubs.

I think this was a cry for attention, I haven't done this, but I have done my own things to get some strange looks. The thing people have to realize when they do things to get attention, it's not always going to be positive attention that they recieve, infact, most often, I would say, it's not.

 

[twysted73]

Well, if she's not a seeing-eye dog then she was treated perfectly in role.

(Assuming that in the UK, as in the USA, dogs who are not used to aid an impaired person are widely prohibited on buses.)

Sailor, in america, dogs are treated better then or as well as children in a lot of cases. Buses, planes, public vendors and locations...it's almost creepy.
No, it's definitely creepy.
Establishments such as Dairy Queen ( a popular ice cream establishment ) offers "puppy cups" for people's dogs.
Last I checked wasn't it bad to offer dairy products to pets?
*shakes head* Yet women are discouraged (in some cases asked by authorities on the behalf of passers by) not to breastfeed in public?
We're a good country but boy do we have our issues with anything remotely relating to something potentually sexual.

They came off as a bit rude themselves, and I am suspecting it is more about getting attention than any real need to be accepted by others in their respective roles. Maybe I am just getting jaded, but we do live in a society where like it or not we are expected to try and blend more so than set out to outrage. If someone wants to rock the boat by acting publicly in a way they know is going to not only force others to witness their kink, but draw attention to them in various ways, they also have to accept the right of others to object to having to be exposed to and part of their choice of lifestyle. Sort of reminds me of when Kailey who posted here felt it should be possible for her to walk around in front of children naked, or as a puppy with her PYL, or any other number of acts in public places, and that people should not have the right to object or even feel outraged. By all means do it if it means so much to you, but don't run crying when it backfires on you and you have to pay the consequences.
Catalina

Agreed. "In your face" tactics isnt the best way to go about things. But had they been slightly more descreet about it..say, him reversing her collar so the lead runs down her back and he could double it up and hold it there, I would have supported them 100%.
It's opne thing to express yourself and have the right to be as you are. But another when you shove it under the noses of others and expect them to be fine with that.

Meh, I'm new here, and only moderately exposed to the concept of power play, but it's not always the dominate's sole choice to do things like that. If the submissive specificly asked for it, then it's her choice, and he was just aiding in that fantasy's fulfillment.

But again, I willing concede to the opinion of those with more experience than I, because, again, I'm just a clueless newb.

Newb or not, you have a valid point.
Concede and lose ground. I'm switch and sometimes it's so hard to be quiet when others think I should be.

I see your point. That he's simply attempting to do as he has given his word to do. Create her fantasy for her.
*puts on the flack gear and healmet cause I know it's coming*
I perceive many aspects of a D/s relationship to hold quite a few similarities to a Parent/child dynamic.
The one leading is, in many ways, responsible for the safety of the one they guide.
They are deferred to by the submissive to do what they wish but to do so with their submissive's best interests at heart and in mind.
He could have been more descreet and still achieved the thrill she sought I think.
I find it more exciting and challanging to find ways to get what you want and not have to deal with anyone's issues as a result of it.
Therein lies the challange and fun for me.

N_B, In submission I'm almost completely unruly and most definitely untrained. So it's so easy for me to tell you not to concede being slightly sammy myself.

God I want to bite someone.
*bears teeth and slips into a smile not being able to hold in the energy*

 

[Xelebes]

I just noticed it was a chokechain and not a normal leash-on-collar. Yeah, that is a danger on the bus or in any motor vehicle.

 

[subbielez]

Regardless, I agree about it possibly being both the choice of the pet and her master. I'm a sub, not a slave, so I have choices when in-scene (though of course I make those choices before-scene). Even slaves, though, are generally kept private. Oh, they might be forced to do things in public like wear butt plugs or certain outfits or 'markers' (like a collar, or something else that marks them as a slave), but most people don't like rocking the boat. If it was indeed a choke-chain, then it's probably best left off when using public transportation. If the bus is forced to stop suddenly or gets into an accident, she could have her neck snapped. But ordinary collars and chains, though, shouldn't really be much of a problem. I think this kinda goes back to a thread I read on here recently that was entitled "Why do they hate us?" It was all about why people are scared of or discriminate against people with a BDSM or kinky lifestyle.

 

[00Syd]

Sailor, in america, dogs are treated better then or as well as children in a lot of cases. Buses, planes, public vendors and locations...it's almost creepy.
No, it's definitely creepy.
Establishments such as Dairy Queen ( a popular ice cream establishment ) offers "puppy cups" for people's dogs.
Last I checked wasn't it bad to offer dairy products to pets?
*shakes head* Yet women are discouraged (in some cases asked by authorities on the behalf of passers by) not to breastfeed in public?
We're a good country but boy do we have our issues with anything remotely relating to something potentually sexual.

I very much agree with that. My bank, Commerce Bank, is "dog friendly" and has a bucket of free dog treats next to the bucket of free pens. So many places are "dog friendly" and "pet friendly" that aren't really human friendly.

But to the couple that got kicked off the bus: What did they expect? Of course they got kicked off the bus.

 

[mjl2010]

Well I for one do not leave the leashes on the dogs when they are in the car or truck. Choke collars come off too, if they were being used. (not recently) If the driver was thinking safety, then good for him.

Hmmm. Now if had been a pony harness... would he have still objected?

 

[Mamid]

a friend of ours, and his ex fiancee, pulled the same stunt when we picked them up at the ferry. She was being led off of it by him and even had cuffs on. But she was better dressed - it was winter after all.

We stopped counting double takes at 50 when they met up with us. Me, also in my collar, locked, her with her leash that wasn't locked.

I think that was the best coital experience we had, once Penalt and I got home.

Safety, okay, so she's off the leash during the ride. Good pets know not to stray and how to be attentive to their masters/mistresses when not actively on the leash...

dammit... my show collar broke. I would love to read it just to get the "huwwubah?" from certain people.

 

[BiBunny]

I think this is another case of people doing things to draw attention and then getting pissed off when the attention is not of the sort that they wanted it to be. You do things that you know are going to make people uncomfortable, then I think you forfeit the right to bitch about it later, but that's just me.

 

[rooky2]

respect for all...?

Think driver being captain of the bus was responsible for the safety of the passengers; he had the right to ensure whatever steps he could take to take in order to ensure the safety of the bus passengers. There could be some conservatives on the bus, already on or about to be getting on, if scuffle broke out things would have gone worse affecting physically, apart from emotionally, which already did, of the passengers. So driver did the right thing. Had the society in general had the tendency where every second or third human being is openly led by a leash or ridden on as a pony, I am sure the driver would have not objected as it would have raised no issues and thereby threats?

 

[LLs Man]

What the article doesn't make clear is whether or not they'd travelled on the bus before with her on the leash. If so then they have a right to feel aggrieved (and if so it was obviously with a different driver). The thing is that I've seen cases here (different bus company, but even so...) where drivers and/or conductors have made up their own rules that no-one else seems to apply (for example one conductor insists that dogs are taken right to the back, and that any alcohol (even sealed bottles just bought from the supermarket) are handed over until the end of the journey, which no-one else does).

Obviously, if this was their first time on the bus with the leash, then the driver was (probably) within his rights, though it's also worth pointing out that the bus company is almost always going to side with their driver unless he's obviously doing something stupid.