City of Springfield, Ohio Responds to Trump/Vance "Immigrants Are Eating Pets" Claims

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance have doubled down on the unfounded claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating pets.  

Dan Gooding for Newsweek on Trump's claims that migrants are "eating cats and dogs," even though the allegation has been thoroughly debunked.

A spokesperson for Springfield told Newsweek there are "no credible reports" that pets or other animals had been harmed by immigrants.  "In response to recent rumors alleging 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," the statement read.

The City of Springfield, which has been the site of a small but growing Haitian population, has responded to the wild allegations with a webpage to debunk the allegations about immigrants eating pets.  Among the statements on the FAQ:

"Q: What are the challenges we face as a community based on this population increase?
A: The primary challenges that Springfield faces includes:
• the rapid rise in our population
• lack of resources to provide for the increased population, including: public safety, healthcare, housing and adequate school resources
• language barriers
• intolerance and racism
• Driving Rules and Regulations."

Note that pet eating is not on the list.

KJ