Officials in Springfield, Ohio, stated on Monday that they have not received any credible reports regarding claims of Haitian immigrants abducting and consuming pets. These allegations have gained traction on social media, particularly through former President Donald Trump, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, and others.
The claims suggest that Haitian migrants have been eating cats, along with ducks and geese, and have attracted millions of views across various platforms, with Vance’s post alone accumulating 10.7 million views as of Tuesday evening. Vance, who serves as the Republican senator for Ohio, previously mentioned the alleged chaos caused by Haitian immigrants in Springfield and stated that reports indicate pets have been taken and consumed by migrants.
During a debate on Tuesday night, Trump echoed these unfounded allegations. He claimed, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs — the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame.” He dismissed city officials’ disputes of the claims, insisting that he had seen related reports on television.
On Monday, the House Judiciary GOP, Senator Ted Cruz, and Elon Musk, the owner of X, also referenced the claims. Cruz shared a meme suggesting that people should vote for Trump to prevent Haitian immigrants from eating cats.
However, a spokesperson for Springfield clarified to CBS News that there have been “no credible reports or specific claims” of pets suffering harm at the hands of migrants. Karen Graves, the strategic engagement manager for Springfield, emphasized that the city wanted to clarify the status of these rumors, adding, “In response to recent allegations of criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
Leann Castillo, executive director for the Clark County Park District, also confirmed the absence of any evidence regarding the consumption of pets or wildlife in local parks, stating, “People have contacted us to inquire, but we do not have any knowledge of this taking place.”
The origin of the claim remains unclear, but the Springfield News-Sun mentioned that it might be linked to a viral Facebook post within a Springfield group. The post allegedly mentioned a neighbor’s daughter losing her cat, which was later found near a Haitian neighbor’s home. However, the authenticity of the initial post has not been independently confirmed.
Some social media users have posted body camera footage of an unrelated case in Canton, Ohio, where a woman was accused of killing and eating a cat. Public records show that this individual, Allexis Telia Ferrell, is not a migrant and has lived in Ohio for at least 18 years.
Additionally, AI-generated images related to the claims have surfaced, including one depicting Trump with cats amid a crowd of Black people, accompanied by the caption: “The kittens of Springfield have only one hope.”
Springfield, with a population nearing 58,000, has experienced a significant influx of migrants in recent years, with estimates placing 12,000 to 15,000 migrants in Clark County, and more than 10,000 of them coming from Haiti. The Springfield-based Haitian Community Help and Support Center was established in 2023 to assist these migrants.
In conclusion, the city’s spokesperson reiterated that there are no verified instances of pets being harmed, migrants squatting, littering, or causing disturbances in traffic.