Goths Dogged By Safety Regulations

In Yorkshire, England, Dani Graves, 25, a goth who leads his fiancee Tasha Maltby, 19, around with a dog lead and collar claim they have been discriminated against by bus firm Arriva Yorkshire.

The creepy couple said they had been told to leave one bus and prevented from boarding another that had garlic and crucifixes hung up around the door .
When he tried to get on the bus, Mr Graves alleged: "the driver shoved me off the bus. He called us freaks and he called Tasha a dog.
"He said, 'We don't let freaks and dogs like you on'. "He basically grabbed my T-shirt and slammed me backwards. "

"I got a bit angry and called him a fascist pig I bet that hurt his feelings."

The bus firm said it was a safety matter and was investigating the complaint.

Mr Graves told OBB News: "We're used to strange looks, we're used to comments and enjoy shocking people and getting attention like all the other Goth individuals that dress in the same way."

"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 its not my fault my girlfriend is a bit of a dog."

Miss Maltby said she came up with the idea to wear a dog lead, and said previous boyfriends had called her a "wierdo" when she suggested it, she also likes to get hit with a rolled up newspaper and has a flea problem.

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

"It is definitely discrimination, almost like a hate crime," 19-year-old Miss Maltby said .

The music technology student had this defence of her lifestyle.

"I am a pet, I generally act animal like and I lead a really easy life," she said. "I don't cook or clean and I don't go anywhere without Dani and I go to the toilet where I please . It might seem strange but it makes us both happy. It's my culture and my choice. It isn't hurting anyone and who needs self respect when you have an easy life?"

Mr Graves said: "She's very animal like , she's kind of like a pet, as well as a partner. " He said: "You wouldn't expect your cat or dog to do the washing up or cleaning round the house."

The couple, who live on benefits in a council house and plan to start a family, have been friends for years.

They started going out together in July and became engaged in November.

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 put on some make up and that they stop dressing like freaks."

"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".

Old Knudsen who fought the Goths in 546 AD said: " What a sad and silly affair this is. Its discrimination towards idiots that's what that is.
Two young people with no jobs who want to get attention and shock society by looking like dorks who are in an unhealthy unequal relationship and want to have children.
They are excellent reasons why you should use birth control.

Miss Maltby was not only ignorant about it being a hate crime but she called her 'lifestyle choice' her culture which it is not, its a fad until she grows up and becomes an adult.

Mr Graves can feel like a big man by controlling his girlfriend he obviously has issues about strong women. No you wouldn't expect a dog or cat to do housework but you would expect your partner to."