Police: South Beach nightclub shut down after video shows horse collapsing

South Beach partygoers got more than just a fun night out at the Miami nightclub Mokai when staff brought out a scared and vulnerable white horse to the middle of the dance floor, where the animal collapsed. Attendees became witnesses of animal abuse and, after videos of the incident were posted on social media, police shut down the club.

The incident happened on Wednesday night. At a packed venue, the staff is seen walking the white horse onto the dance floor with a woman clad in a bikini riding on its back. The crowd begins screaming as the horse slips and falls.

Videos surfaced on social media thanks to Miami resident Ixamar Palumbo, who shared it on her Instagram and Facebook accounts.

She tells Yahoo Lifestyle, “We used the video and shared through various social media platforms to avoid this happening again,” she says. “I couldn’t stand to stay quiet anymore. I’ve seen some crazy things, but this was the last straw.”

The Miami Beach Police Department immediately launched an investigation.

“City commissioners and police deputy shut that establishment down right away. Their business license has been revoked,” police officer Mary Garcia tells Yahoo Lifestyle. As for the horse’s condition, it “has been located and checked on by a vet. Thankfully the horse is OK.”

Garcia adds: “The investigation is not over. It appears that the same person who owns Mokai also owns another place in Miami.”

Mokai’s owner, Roman Jones, also owns another venue in Miami called Kiki on the River. Previous videos and photos of the horse at both clubs have also surfaced online. Palumbo provided the photos to Yahoo Lifestyle from now-deleted Instagram photos.

“This wasn’t the first incident. I also have the video of the same horse last Sunday at Kiki on the River,” Palumbo says. “In previous months there has even been a horse that’s been spray-painted with the words ‘Mokai’ on its coat, and even a camel.”

Jones came under fire and all his social media accounts were set to private. He did not return a request for comment.

“We need to be the voice for those that can’t defend themselves, animals and humans,” Palumbo says. “This should be a lesson to everyone trying to get away with this kind of abuse anywhere in the world.”

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