Miami nightclub shuts down after woman rides horse onto dance floor

Footage of the incident quickly went viral.

A nightclub in Miami Beach has been shut down after a video of a pair riding a horse into the middle of the crowded dancefloor was posted online. The videos posted on multiple accounts showed two people riding a white horse onto the dancefloor before the horse grew aggravated and bucked them off. When club-goers began leaving the venue in shock, the authorities were alerted and the club was quickly shut down.

Outrage after video from inside the Mokai Lounge in Miami goes viral - a dancer riding into the club on a white horse. The panicked horse throwing her off. Now, officials investigating Mokai for animal abuse and public health & wellness safety. Full story & video coming soon. pic.twitter.com/TaGce9nVIy

— Dom Proto (@Dom_Proto) March 9, 2018

The club’s owner swears he did not know of the incident and says the person responsible for the stunt has been disciplined. “The marketing director, who arranged the stunt, that I was unaware of, is suspended without pay,” they told CBS4. “I am cooperating with the authorities.” Miami Beach Police revealed in a statement that animal safety experts were immediately called to the scene, saying: “Animal experts have located the horse that was at Mokai Club. The horse has been inspected and deemed to be healthy and safe.”

"What kind of idiot would do something like to this to an animal?" said Miami Beach mayor @DanGelber after someone paraded a horse around in one of the city's nightclubs. Mokai Lounge's license is now revoked. pic.twitter.com/ATDiIGc2uH

— Madeleine Wright (@MWrightReports) March 10, 2018

The videos sparked outrage online and resulted in a press conference with the city manager, who said: “I was disgusted and offended that any legitimate businessperson would think this was an appropriate action to take. This activity was not permitted, and as soon as we became aware, I immediately instructed staff to act swiftly in remedying this situation.”