Detroit transit officials say two horses that boarded a city bus on Saturday appear to have been brought aboard for reasons other than service, and they are treating the unusual episode as an opportunity to retrain bus operators.
In an updated statement, the Detroit Department of Transportation said it reviewed social media posts and onboard camera footage of the incident. The department emphasized that it welcomes service animals that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Officials acknowledged that the actions captured in the video were meant to draw awareness to a positive cause, though the statement did not specify what that cause was. They said the incident nonetheless raised safety concerns, both for other passengers and for the horses themselves.
The department also described the episode as a chance to educate Detroit residents about its efforts to provide safe, timely and high-quality service. The City of Detroit said it stands ready to help local entrepreneurs by connecting them with programs and opportunities that safely increase awareness of their organizations and expand their positive impact.
Video of the incident, filmed on Seven Mile Road, has since gone viral. The footage shows the horses and two people near the bus, then the horses walking on board after one of the people spoke with someone aboard. The bus driver lowered the wheelchair ramp to let the animals on.
In an earlier statement issued Tuesday, the department said the incident was not consistent with its policy and warned that it could create an unsafe and uncomfortable ride for passengers.
According to the department's website, the only animals permitted on board are service animals, and those animals must sit on the floor or in a passenger's lap. Horses, however well behaved, do not fit that description in this context, officials indicated.
The department's updated response struck a more conciliatory tone than its initial reaction, pairing its safety message with an offer to support the people behind the stunt through official channels rather than on a moving bus. Officials framed the moment less as a violation to be punished and more as a teaching opportunity for staff and the public alike.
No injuries were reported in connection with the incident, and officials have not indicated whether the passengers involved will face any consequences. For now, the department says its focus is on retraining operators and reminding riders of the rules that govern animals on public transit.
