A Florida nightclub has been stripped of its license after officials were left “disgusted” by an incident in which a horse was ridden onto the dance floor.
Video posted on social media shows a women wearing only lingerie trying to bring the animal out into the packed Mokai Lounge club in Miami Beach on Thursday evening.
The white horse, visibly distressed by the environment, throws the rider off its back and begins to thrash about, prompting some clubbers in the venue to scream in shock.
The City of Miami said it had revoked Mokai Lounge’s license “with immediate effect” following the incident after investigating reports of “animal cruelty and causing a hazard to public safety”.
“I was disgusted and offended that any legitimate businessperson would think this was an appropriate action to take,” said city manager Jimmy L Morales.
“This activity was not permitted, and as soon as we became aware, I immediately instructed staff to act swiftly in remedying this situation.”
The order served to the nightclub said the city had received information that a horse had been “paraded into the venue with a “horde of patrons present”.
It said Miami Beach police has subsequently viewed video footage of the incident, “which clearly show the horse being spooked and throwing a scantily-clad rider off while in the crowded venue.”
“Animal cruelty is an abhorrent and vile act,” said Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber. “I fully support the immediate actions taken by the city manager and his staff to ensure that this is remedied quickly.”
