Two Horses Board Detroit Bus in Viral Video

On November 9, video of two horses getting onto a Detroit Department of Transportation bus drew attention online. The incident happened over the weekend on Seven Mile Road, though the bus route was not identified. The footage also showed the horses leaving the bus.

Ellessia Drew said she was driving when she spotted people with the horses and began recording. In the video, one rider appears to speak with someone on the bus before the animals climb aboard. The driver lowered the wheelchair ramp, and the bus shifted as the horses were brought inside, Drew said.

DDOT said it was aware of the incident and that the horses had been allowed to walk through the bus while it was stopped. The department said the situation did not comply with its rules and could make the ride unsafe or uncomfortable for passengers.

DDOT permits service animals on buses under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Its rules say an animal must remain under the control of a person with a disability and stay on the floor or that person’s lap, rather than occupy a seat. Service animals can include animals other than dogs if they are individually trained to carry out duties for an individual with a disability.

The video does not establish whether the horses were service animals. DDOT said it was taking appropriate steps to address the incident.