A cancer survivor has lashed out after the government refused her request to have personalised number plates honouring the dog that helped her through her recovery.
Gold Coast dog owner Julie Elder, 52, has started a petition calling for the Queensland Government to allow her to obtain the custom number plate: K9 CAB.
Ms Elder has already spent $2,500, and she has been offered a refund, but she refuses to accept it as she is determined to get the plates approved.
The 52-year-old adopted the puppy of her dreams, Elton, two years ago as she was being wheeled into surgery to remove tumours from her hands.
Elton quickly become her 'rock' through recovery.
'I've pretty much reworked my life around him,' Ms Elder told Daily Mail.
'He's brought balance to my life in hard times and kept me going even when I felt like giving up.'
Part of the changes Ms Elder has made include swapping her car with leather interiors for a Volkswagen Caddy, more suited for a midsize dog.
Ms Elder wanted to thank Elton for being her 'rock' during her recovery by personalising a car to his needs.
'I'd bought these dog steps, but they didn't fit into my car properly,' she said.
'So, last week I went and bought a second-hand Volkswagen Caddy that I'm now decking out purely for him, it'll be his ride. It'll be Elton’s ride.
'I thought, "I’ve got private plates on my other cars. I’m getting private plates for Elton, and it’s going to be his taxi cab".'
The plate, K9 CAB, was intended to be a fun play on words for Ms Elder’s canine car.
However, shortly after applying for the number plate, she received an email from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (QTMR).
The department said: ‘We understand you do not have any negative intentions selecting this combination.
‘We must consider how this precise plate may be viewed by all members of the community.’
The moderator appeared concerned by the word ‘cab’, as it could cause confusion.
Ms Elder has slammed the excuse as ‘ridiculous’, as no one would mistake her personal car for a taxi service.
‘I ask people everywhere I go - I show people the plates and ask what they think. Everyone says there’s nothing wrong with them,’ she said.
‘Cabs hardly even exist anymore. It’s all rideshare now. They’re out of step with modern transport and how people express themselves.
‘That’s why I put the petition up, to try and get them to see the logic rather than the bureaucratic craziness that’s going on.’
Ms Elder’s petition is available to sign on Change.org and has received 30 signatures so far.
While she’s not convinced a successful petition would see her plates approved, she hopes it can be an example to the Queensland Government of its ‘over-governance’.
‘It’s bureaucracy gone mad. It’s predicting a problem that doesn’t exist in the community,’ Ms Elder said of her plates being denied.
‘I’ve sent another email asking to speak with the moderators but haven’t heard back yet. At the moment, I can either cancel my order for a refund or submit a new plate.’
Daily Mail has contacted QTMR for comment.