Pensacola man claims ECAT 'banned' his service dog from riding bus

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]A Pensacola man is now in a dispute with Escambia County Area Transit over whether he and his service dog can ride a bus. He says ECAT has been inconsistent in allowing his service dog to ride the bus with him.

[00:00:12]WEAR's Claire O'Neil joining us and Claire, county officials are telling you that all service dogs are welcome, but Brian Horn tells us that's not the case.

[00:00:23]Bob Sue Horn says he has the video to back up his case.

[00:00:28]Brian Horn has ridden ECAT before. He and his service dog, Stella, use the bus for daily needs, but he says this week she was not allowed on the bus because of what she did before getting on board.

[00:00:41]And because she let out a howl, they said she's not a service animal and banned us from the bus.

[00:00:50]Well, banned her from the bus. I'm allowed to take the bus. He says that reaction was because of the noise on the bus's brakes. We contacted the county today and we're told all service dogs are welcome. Except the county tells us individuals may be asked to remove their service animal if the animal is out of control and the handler cannot manage it. Horn is blind and lost his leg after being struck by a semi-truck. He uses his dog to get around with stability.

[00:01:18]We've bonded together and grown as one.

[00:01:23]She's able to She helped me get back on my feet.

[00:01:30]And she continues to help me move around and stay on my feet. I've flown with her multiple times. I've been on trains with her. I've We've traveled. I've go to grocery stores with her.

[00:01:46]No issues.

[00:01:47]>> Horn acknowledges a supervisor came out saying as long as Stella is not disruptive, it wouldn't be a problem for her to ride the bus. In fact, the county tells us on Monday ECAT was able to accommodate Horn and Stella through alternative transportation. Today, Horn tells us he was able to go to ride this morning with no issues, but when he tried to come home, he was told his dog was banned.

[00:02:11]When we called this afternoon, we were referred back to the statement that service dogs are permitted, but we were not given a reason as to why Stella couldn't ride this afternoon.

[00:02:23]Horn says he did file a complaint with ECAT, but hasn't heard back. You can see the full statement from the county on our website. Reporting in the studio, Claire O'Neal, WEAR News.