Detroit Investigates Horses Led Onto DDOT Bus
City confirms a viral video showing two people leading saddled horses onto a city bus, and says the driver has been located.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Large Animals
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The city of Detroit has confirmed the authenticity of a viral video showing two people leading saddled horses onto a Detroit Department of Transportation bus through one entrance and out another. The video, posted on Facebook by Ellessia Drew, was recorded on 7 Mile on Saturday, and DDOT says it has located the bus driver.
Why it matters
The incident raises questions about rules governing animals on public transit in Detroit, where service animals are limited to guide or signal dogs and animals trained to help people with disabilities. Animals on city buses must be under control at all times.
The video shows two people and two saddled horses, with the horses boarding through one door and exiting through another on a DDOT bus. The city will not release further details until Thursday, Nov. 12, and the reason for the incident has not been disclosed.
The players
Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT)
The city agency that operates Detroit's public bus system and has located the bus driver involved in the incident.
The details
Ellessia Drew recorded the video while driving on 7 Mile and turned onto Strasburg Street, where she saw the horses. The city has confirmed the footage is authentic and is investigating how the animals came to be on the bus.
Timeline
Saturday (prior to Nov. 10, 2026): Video of horses boarding a DDOT bus is recorded on 7 Mile.
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026: City expected to release further investigation details.
Pet Policy
Under DDOT's existing policy, service animals on city buses are limited to guide or signal dogs and animals trained to help people with disabilities, so saddled horses fall outside any permitted category. The city's investigation will determine whether the incident violated the requirement that animals on buses be kept under control at all times.
Riders on Detroit buses should expect that animals must be under control at all times and that only guide or signal dogs and disability-trained animals are permitted as service animals. The incident underscores that large animals are not allowed on DDOT buses under current policy.
The takeaway
Riders should confirm which animals are permitted on public transit before boarding, since Detroit limits service animals to dogs and disability-trained animals. The city's findings on this incident will clarify how strictly those limits are enforced.
What happens next
The city of Detroit is expected to release further details on the investigation on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Further reading
Explore more about large animals and how they are handled in Detroit's public spaces.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Detroit Free Press.
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